Stop Dreaming of a Good Night’s Sleep

Your oral health plays a big role in your overall health, but that not the only reason you may want to visit our office in Woodbury, MN.

Getting deep, healthy sleep is important for everyone, and — believe it or not — it’s something Dr. Mark W. Wilhelm can help you achieve. Obstructive sleep apnea is a common, yet underdiagnosed sleep disorder.

If you have it, it can leave you feeling tired when you wake up and exhausted during the day. By treating it, you and people close to you can feel more rested and have more energy to do the things you want to do.

Why not make 2019 your most productive year yet? Start by calling 651-319-9064 to schedule a consultation to find out how our sleep apnea treatment could help you.

Understand What OSA Is & How It Affects You

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common type of this sleep disorder. It occurs because your airways are restricted in some way when you fall asleep. As a result, two things often happen.

First, you snore loudly and constantly when you drift off. You may not notice it, but the people sleep in the same room, same hallway, or some home as you have probably noticed. Second, you stop breathing frequently.

In cases of mild sleep apnea, you may stop breathing a dozen times every hour. With severe sleep apnea, you can stop breathing hundreds of times each night.

Whenever you stop breathing it’s a problem. This adds stress to your body, and your body responds to that stress by producing stress hormones. Since this is ongoing throughout the night, it can increase your blood pressure, which in turn can raise your risk of strokes, heart attacks, and cardiovascular disease.

At the same time, your body needs to keep breathing to keep you alive. If you stop breathing, your brain will wake you up. These awakenings can be extremely brief. You may not have any memory of them, but they you to take a few breaths.

But that also means you are waking up often. Because of that, you rarely if ever reach the stages of deep sleep. Without deep sleep, you experience sleep deprivation. When you are sleep deprived, you are more easily annoyed, often feel fatigued, and fight with daytime sleepiness. That also raises your risk of being in a car accident.

Breathe Easier To Sleep Better

By treating your sleep apnea, you — and anyone bothered by your snoring — can get the deep, healthy sleep that you need and deserve.

Before you can be treated, however, you may need to be tested if you’ve never been diagnosed. Dr. Wilhelm works closely with area sleep clinics. We can help you arrange an overnight sleep test, which can determine if you have OSA. If your condition is confirmed, we can discuss treatment options:

  • CPAP therapy — A continuous positive airway pressure machine pushes air into your airway to keep it open. This allows you to keep breathing throughout the night.
  • Oral appliances — These are similar to mouthguards. You wear them while you sleep. They keep your airway open by slightly shifting the position of your lower jaw.
  • Combination therapy — With the help of a special mask, you can get the benefits of both treatments at the same time. We are one of the few practices in the area that offers this treatment option.

Enjoy Sweet Dreams in 2019

People typically dream during the deep stages of sleep. If you can’t remember the last time that you dreamed, then it’s time to contact Dr. Wilhelm to discuss OSA. Call 651-319-9064 today or contact us online to request your appointment.

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