Sleep Apnea
Our holistic approach aims to relieve the unpleasant symptoms our patients experience as a result of sleep-disordered breathing. We’re pleased to provide effective options that allow our patients to take advantage of better sleep, more energy, and an enhanced sense of well-being.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a type of breathing disorder that impacts an individual’s sleep quality and overall health because the natural sequence of breathing is interrupted throughout the night. Individuals suffering from sleep apnea stop repeatedly breathing while they’re asleep, and the interruptions can last anywhere from a couple of seconds to more than a minute.
There are various types of sleep apnea:
- CENTRAL SLEEP APNEA occurs when the brain fails to send proper signals to the muscles responsible for breathing control
- OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA is the most common form of sleep apnea, and many individuals with this form of the disorder utilize a CPAP machine to treat the issue, though many sleep apnea patients find the breathing masks uncomfortable and disruptive. This form of sleep apnea occurs when the throat muscles relax enough to block the airway.
- COMPLEX SLEEP APNEA occurs when both of the former types of sleep apnea are present
Sleep apnea can range in severity, from inducing snoring and being generally bothersome, to interfering with sleep quality and being a hazard to one’s health.
Airway Issues and Snoring
Snoring is another issue that many people contend with when they go to sleep. While having sleep apnea may induce snoring, there are other breathing issues unrelated to sleep apnea that contribute to snoring as well.
For example, if an individual frequently snores, the issue may be due to the anatomical structure of the throat and mouth. Having thick soft palate tissue can cause an individual to snore, as can having the throat muscles relax too much during sleep.
A deviated nasal septum or chronic nasal congestion may also contribute to the frequency of snoring a person experiences.
Finally, the position a person sleeps in, or the amount of alcohol they consume in an evening may also lead to snoring.
While it’s usually not a big deal to snore every once in a while, chronic snoring indicates a health issue that may be improved with medical intervention.
At Herre Holistic Dental KC, Dr. Tim Herre takes steps to correctly diagnose sleep apnea and other airway issues, as well as determine the underlying causes. In doing so, Herre Holistic Dental KC performs comprehensive sleep apnea and airway evaluations which include detailed examinations of the head, neck, teeth, and jaws.
In addition, our team carefully analyzes a patient’s medical history and prescribes home sleep tests to get a better understanding of an individual’s sleep patterns.
Airway Treatments for Sleep Apnea and Snoring
Our treatments are natural, non-invasive, and usually start with developing jaw strength, being that one of the key causes of airway restriction stems from underdeveloped jaws.
Our patients receive holistic care when it comes to sleep apnea and snoring treatment. Rather than simply prescribing a CPAP mask to control the symptoms of sleep apnea, we aim to discover the underlying factors that led to the development of the disorder.
If you live in the Kansas City or Leawood area and you find yourself tired even after a decent night’s sleep, or you’ve been told that you snore, we welcome you to book an appointment at our Leawood office. Our team can perform a full evaluation and develop a holistic treatment plan for your sleep apnea or snoring issues. Call us any time to book an appointment with Herre Holistic Dental KC.
For individuals who suffer from daytime fatigue despite going to bed at a reasonable time, the cause of this excessive tiredness may be due to sleep-disordered breathing.
Instances of sleep-disordered breathing can have a lasting negative impact on a person’s well-being, but fortunately, these conditions are treatable through the application of holistic medical practices.
Sleep apnea is not uncommon, but unfortunately, it goes undiagnosed and untreated in most of the population. In fact, only around 5% of people with sleep apnea receive a diagnosis and treatment for their condition.
This may be due to the individual being unaware of the breathing interruptions, and writing off the symptoms they experience as unrelated issues.
Symptoms of sleep apnea and other breathing disorders include:
Mouth-breathing during waking hours
Snoring at night
Uneven breathing pattern
Fatigue during the day
Difficulty concentrating
Behavioral issues in children
While these symptoms may be related to other health conditions when an individual only experiences one or two of them, having several of these symptoms present is often indicative of sleep-disordered breathing.
When parents become concerned about their child’s health, attention span, behavior, or sleep quality, it’s a good idea to schedule an airway evaluation with a trusted dental professional.
Because a child’s mouth and orofacial muscles are still developing, it’s not uncommon for airway issues to interfere with his or her sleep quality. Simply not receiving enough oxygen during sleep can negatively impact the degree of rest that an individual gets at night. This negative impact can very easily cause problems in other facets of life.
While many children experience somewhat mild symptoms, and may even outgrow sleep-disordered breathing, others contend with the unpleasant symptoms they experience well into adulthood.
Using bio-rejuvenation, we can determine the proper position for our patient’s jaws to rest. This simple correction allows individuals to achieve maximum airflow through optimally opened airways. By facilitating a healthy airway, our treatment can help patients enhance their overall health, improve sleep quality, and as a result, sharpen their focus during the day.
Holistic Dental Rejuvenation at Herre Holistic Dental KC is safe, non-invasive, and doesn’t require the use of medication. It’s a holistic technique that naturally encourages the mouth and airway to remain optimally positioned. This way, patients of all ages can take advantage of much better sleep quality. As a result of non-obstructed airways, patients not only sleep better but can improve their overall quality of life through better rest.
Schedule an Appointment
Location
11201 Nall Avenue
Suite 120
Leawood, KS 66211
Hours
Tuesday: 8:00am - 4:00pm
Wednesday: 8:00am - 4:00pm
Thursday: 7:00am - 3:00pm
