Treating Sleep Apnea in Odessa

Treating sleep apnea in Odessa just got even better. Dr. Cobb recently completed a special course in sleep apnea, allowing him to provide patients with treatment that helps them breathe with ease at night. If you suspect that you or the person snoring on the pillow next to you has sleep apnea, then come see Dr. Cobb. He can prescribe a custom-fitted oral appliance to maintain an open airway.

What is Sleep Apnea?

The most common form of this medical condition is called obstructive sleep apnea. When this happens, the soft tissue in your throat and your tongue fall back and block your airway. Then, the oxygen level in your bloodstream drops, your nervous system signals the brain to awaken the body and breathing restarts. This sequence can happen over and over during the night.

What are the Symptoms of Sleep Apnea?

The leading sign of sleep apnea is loud snoring. This happens because the tissue around your airway vibrates as you try to breathe. Not everyone who snores has sleep apnea and not everyone with sleep apnea snores. See your dentist in Odessa for a proper diagnosis.

Other common symptoms of sleep apnea include:

• Pauses in breathing
• Morning headaches
• Dry mouth or a sore throat when you awaken in the morning
• Daytime drowsiness
• Irritability and moodiness

What are the Consequences of Sleep Apnea?

As if the symptoms of sleep apnea weren’t bad enough, there are a number of health concerns that have been linked to the condition. For example, the decrease in your blood’s oxygen level often leads to high blood pressure as your heart works harder to pump oxygenated blood to your vital organs. Heart attacks and strokes are more common among people who have untreated sleep apnea, too.

Similarly, diabetes, dementia and depression have all been linked to sleep apnea. There is even evidence to suggest that a significant number of car accidents are related to the inadequate sleep that results from this condition.

How is Sleep Apnea Treated in Odessa?

If your diagnosis is sleep apnea, then Dr. Cobb will prescribe an oral appliance that gently positions your lower jaw slightly forward. This small movement clears your airway so you can breathe more easily while you are lying down to sleep.

Dr. Cobb has found that this therapy can be as effective as wearing a CPAP machine and in some ways is even better. Many patients for whom the CPAP is too cumbersome find relief with an oral appliance.

Don’t sacrifice a good night’s sleep or your health. Get a diagnosis for sleep apnea in Odessa. Call today to schedule an appointment.

Meet the Doctor

Dr. Steve W. Cobb is a family and cosmetic dentist. He and his staff offer a wide range of general, restorative and cosmetic dentistry treatments as well as sleep apnea therapy for patients throughout West Texas. Call the office today to schedule an appointment.