Sleep Apnea Treatment in St. Louis

Dr. Hill has undergone extensive training to help patients who suffer from sleep apnea. Our breakthrough method involves an oral appliance worn at night so our patients no longer have to suffer the embarrassment and discomfort caused by CPAPs.

What is Sleep Apnea?

What is often described as "loud snoring" may actually be sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a condition that causes a sleeping person to stop breathing for 10 seconds or more. The lack of breath reduces oxygen levels, signaling the brain to wake up and breathe. Some patients with sleep apnea wake up completely, while others simply move into a lighter stage of sleep. The cycle continues throughout the night, sometimes hundreds of times. Because a sleep apnea patient is continually waking, they don't get the deep, restorative sleep they need to feel rested each day.

What's the Problem?
Sleep apnea is often the result of blocked airways, which can have several causes including the position of the tongue, the size and shape of the airways, or the swelling of those passageways. Not only can disrupted sleep affect a patient's mood, it can also affect their health.

While people with Sleep Apnea think they are resting, their body may be struggling for air and they won't even know it! As a result, they never achieve the important deep, restful sleep so necessary to good health. People never feel refreshed and are often tired throughout the day.

Stress on the body and decreased oxygen levels in the blood may cause:

• High blood pressure,
• Abnormal heart rhythms,
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Diabetes
• Depression
• Inability to concentrate
• Uncontrolled weight gain

The Sleep Apnea Solution

If you think that you have the symptoms of someone who suffers from sleep apnea, the first step is to have Dr. Hill and his staff evaluate your airway. If Dr. Hill determines that you may suffer from sleep apnea, he will refer you to a reputable sleep lab for a complete analysis and diagnosis. This sleep test will help determine whether you suffer from sleep apnea or simple snoring.

While the CPAP remains a popular treatment for sleep apnea, many sleep apnea sufferers have found relief with a simple dental appliance. Our St. Louis dental office can custom fit you for a comfortable device that re-positions the jaw and tongue, opens the airways, and alleviates symptoms giving you a restful night's sleep. There are several different types of appliances that can be utilized depending on the patient and the severity of the apnea. These devices are much smaller and invasive than the CPAP and much easier to travel with. Contact City Smiles for a consultation today. It's just another way Dr. Hill can help you smile.