Sleep Apnea Specialist

About 22 million Americans have some type of sleep apnea. Although it’s a common condition, without prompt intervention and treatment, sleep apnea increases your risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, or stroke. At Dr. Sameh Aknouk Dental Services PC, with two convenient locations in Union Square, Manhattan, and the Parkchester neighborhood of the Bronx, New York. Doctor Aknouk and his team develop custom care plans to minimize the uncomfortable symptoms of sleep apnea. To schedule an appointment, call the nearest office or book online today.

Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder that causes you to wake up multiple times throughout the night. Not only can this prevent you from getting a restful night’s sleep, but it also increases your risk of serious health problems.

If you regularly wake up in the morning with a sore throat or headache, sleep apnea may be to blame. Don’t wait to seek professional help; contact the team at Dr. Sameh Aknouk Dental Services PC, right away.

What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea affects everyone differently, but common symptoms include:

Loud snoring
Difficulty paying attention while awake
Irritability
Difficulty staying asleep
Waking up with a dry mouth

If you have sleep apnea, you might also experience periods during sleep where you stop breathing altogether.

What are the types of sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea falls into one of three types:

Obstructive sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurs when your soft palate relaxes during sleep. This causes the soft tissues in your throat to block your airway, causing you to wake up, gasping for air.

Central sleep apnea

Central sleep apnea occurs due to a miscommunication between your brain and the muscles that control breathing. If your muscles don’t receive proper signals from your brain during sleep, it causes you to wake up.

Complex sleep apnea is the rarest and most dangerous type of sleep apnea. It blends symptoms of both obstructive and central sleep apnea.

How is sleep apnea diagnosed?

Only a qualified medical doctor (MD) can diagnose sleep apnea. If your general practitioner or primary care physician determines that you have sleep apnea, they can refer you to the team at Dr. Sameh Aknouk Dental Services PC for further evaluation and treatment.

How is sleep apnea treated?

Whenever possible, the team at Dr. Sameh Aknouk Dental Services PC recommends treating sleep apnea with conservative, non-invasive means. Healthy lifestyle changes like losing weight, quitting smoking, or eating a more balanced diet may significantly reduce your symptoms and improve your quality of sleep.

If you have mild or moderate sleep apnea, your provider might recommend a custom night guard. A night guard is an oral appliance that you wear during sleep. It pushes your lower jaw slightly forward, allowing for improved airflow.

If you have a severe case of sleep apnea, and it doesn’t respond to conservative care or healthy lifestyle changes, surgical intervention may be necessary, but this is always a last resort.

To explore your treatment options for sleep apnea, schedule an appointment at Dr. Sameh Aknouk Dental Services PC by calling the office nearest you, or booking an appointment online today.