Austin orthodontist Dr. Farrah Agahi knows
sleep disorders are fairly common, with approximately 50 to 70 million Americans being affected by some type chronic sleep disorder. Some of these progress to Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), which can cause loss of sleep among many other health problems. Snoring is one of the most easily identified symptoms of sleep apnea, and as the condition worsens it can lead to airway blockage, which can severely disrupt your sleep patterns.
If you suffer from sleep apnea, each time your breathing stops, the resulting lack of oxygen alerts your brain, which temporarily wakes you up to restart proper breathing. Because the time spent awake is so brief, most people with sleep apnea don't remember it - and many think they are getting a good night's sleep. However, the constant wake-sleep-wake-sleep cycle precludes the deep sleep that refreshes the body, and sufferers are frequently drowsy during the day.
Treatments range widely and depend on the severity of the problem and the type of apnea. Basic treatment can be behavioral - for instance, patients are instructed to lose weight, stop smoking, or sleep on their sides instead of on their backs. Beyond that, oral devices can be used to position the mouth in such a way that prevents throat blockage. In more severe cases, surgery may be the best option.
The following symptoms can indicate the presence of sleep apnea. If you notice one or more of these,
give us a call, and we can refer you to a sleep apnea specialist here in Austin.
* Insomnia or difficulty sleeping
* Loud snoring at night
* Waking up at night short of breath
* Snorting or choking sounds during the night (indicating a restart of breathing)
* Headaches upon waking in the morning
* Falling asleep unintentionally during the day
* Extreme drowsiness throughout the day
Enjoy the rest of Father's Day weekend everyone!
If you've recently completed your orthodontic treatment at Smiles by Farrah Orthodontics, our entire team would like to congratulate you again! Now, after your braces have been removed, Austin orthodontist Dr. Farrah Agahi will provide—or has provided you by now—with retainers. After braces are officially removed, teeth may - and do - shift out of position if they are not stabilized.
OK, so there are a lot of myths and half-truths flying around these days when it comes to orthodontic treatment. Dr. Farrah Agahi and our team know that. But, before you buy into those myths, we think you should get the facts first! Our pals at the American Association of Orthodontists have some excellent information on the myths and facts about orthodontics, and we encourage you to check them out before settling for rumors about braces!
With Memorial Day right around the corner, it's almost time once again for Americans to pay tribute to the servicemen and women who died protecting our country. Memorial Day weekend also happens to be the unofficial start of summer, and for many kids in Austin, getting out of town for three days with parents after being in school for nine months is sweet, sweet relief.
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