Dental Sleep Medicine in Springfield, MO

Millions of Americans of all ages suffer from sleep disorders without knowing it. Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which a patient involuntarily repeatedly stops and starts breathing. If left untreated this disorder could lead up to serious health issues. Sleep apnea is very common, as common as type 2 diabetes, most are unaware of their interruption of breathing. The lack of awareness by the public and some healthcare professionals causes many patients to remain undiagnosed therefore untreated. Luckily, once sleep apnea is diagnosed, it can be treated, there are several treatment options. So ask yourself the following questions:

Do you Snore? Are you tired?

• Suffer from constant fatigue and drowsiness throughout the day?
• Wake up gasping for air?
• Accidentally falling asleep during the day / while driving?
• Loud snoring that disturbs others?
• Feeling exhausted in the morning?
• Diagnosed with sleep apnea?
• Problems with CPAP Therapy?

If you answered yes to any of these questions at American Dental Solutions, Dr. Zee will conduct an initial sleep screening with Acoustic Diagnostic Imaging Pharyngometer and Rhinometer. Dr. Zee will also provide take-home sleep study equipment to diagnose the severity of sleep apnea problems for a fraction of the cost compared to a full sleep laboratory study. Based on the overnight sleep study (conducted at your home at your convenience) Dr. Zee will provide oral sleep appliance therapy. It is important to not ignore these symptoms, results of untreated sleep apnea can be potentially serious.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea can contribute to:

• High blood pressure
• Heart Disease
• Type 2 Diabetes
• Weight Gain
• Adult Asthma
• Acid Reflux
• Higher Cancer Rates
• Car Accidents
• Stroke
• Depression
• Headaches
• Memory Problems

Up to 50% of patients with sleep apnea suffer from high blood pressure. People with this disorder may sometimes fall asleep unexpectedly during the day such as while driving, making these patients up to five times more likely than normal sleepers to have traffic accidents.  Dr. Zee has the technology and knowledge to help treat mild to moderate sleep apnea or give an alternative for those patients who cannot tolerate the CPAP therapy. Oral appliances for sleep apnea have been proven to be very effective, they are small, comfortable and are custom made for each patient.

To learn more about sleep disorders and sleep apnea go to American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine patient resources: http://www.aadsm.org/whatisdentalsleepmedicine.aspx