Pasadena Orthodontist Dr. Vickie Greenberg, specializes in TMJ Jaw Pain and Sleep Therapy. Issues with sleeping can be catalyst for a diminished healthy lifestyle, and that is why she has made sleep therapy a focal point of her orthodontics practice.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep Apnea is a condition which causes difficulties in breathing during sleep. The sufferer can wake up several times during the night, sometimes 30 times an hour without being aware of it, and the condition is often accompanied by snoring.
Sleep Apnea can be detrimental to your health. The patient isn’t often aware of these sleep disruptions, as they happen so quickly. These disruptions become more obvious the next day, since they lead to drowsiness, irritability, difficulties with concentrating, and other life interruptions caused by constant fatigue.
Waking up several hundred times a night, even if you’re unaware of it, can cause your blood pressure to rise, which can lead to more serious consequences, such as heart attack or stroke.
It’s unhealthy to have your breathing interrupted like this. Snoring can be difficult for a relationship, and the repercussions can cause many undesirable consequences to your lifestyle and health. Fortunately there are a number of treatment options available for Sleep Apnea.
Dr. Vickie Greenberg prefers to look at the big picture in her Sleep Apnea cases. As with any health problem, every case is different. She believes that different treatments work for different people, and is excited about some new options available, like the Fotona Laser.
Treatment Options for Sleep Apnea
The most commonly known treatment option for sleep apnea is the CPAP machine. It is a mask and apparatus that you wear while you sleep. It works by increasing the air pressure in your throat so that the airway doesn’t collapse upon exhaling, which is what causes the snoring.
CPAP machines can be quite effective for snoring and sleep apnea. Some people find the apparatus cumbersome and noisy, and it may difficult to fall asleep with the mask and machine attached. For light sleepers, this solution may not be a solution at all, but more of a hindrance. They can be very effective for those who can adjust to them however.
Another treatment option is a fitted mouthpiece, also to be worn during sleep. They work by repositioning the jaw or tongue so that the airway is not obstructed. These can be effective also. They may be more desirable than the cumbersome mask and tube and machine that a CPAP consists of, and may be sufficient for many cases.
A newer approach to treating Sleep Apnea is the Fotona Laser. This technology is cutting edge, and Dr. Greenberg utilizes it for several procedures in her practice. This is a non-surgical “rejuvenating” laser, which tightens the tissue in the palate by enhancing collagen. This widens out the airway, lessening the source of the airway obstruction that causes the snoring.
Which Option is Best for You
Dr. Greenberg looks at each Sleep Apnea cases individually. Every patient is different, with different lifestyles, and different consequences as a result of their Sleep Apnea. A treatment that works beautifully for one patient may not be desirable or effective for another. And every patient deserves the personalized and unique care that is necessary to improve the quality of their sleep and lives.
There is no reason to keep suffering with difficulties in sleeping! Snoring can be difficult for entire families, and so can constant fatigue, which leads to other health issues.
If you have been diagnosed with Sleep Apnea, or think you may have a sleep Apnea Diagnosis, make an appointment with Dr. Vickie Greenberg today! She offers free consultations to first time visitors. She is located in Pasadena, and serves patients from Altadena, and all over the San Gabriel Valley. So call today at (626) 798-7645, and start sleeping better tomorrow!
