Sleep Apnea and Snoring Pasadena Texas

 

Pasadena Texas Sleep Apnea Doctor

Sound Sleep is Necessary for Good Health and a Long Life

Your body needs appropriate rest each day to stay healthy. Just like food and water, sleep is crucial to letting your body rejuvenate itself for the next day’s activities. Poor quality of sleep has also been linked to heart attacks, strokes, and even death in some circumstances. Your brain also functions better when you have a good night’s rest.

Snoring and the Quality of Your Sleep

Snoring is more than a disturbance to your partner while trying to sleep. It can mean you have a serious breathing disorder known as obstructive sleep apnea. The scary medical condition is an intermittent obstruction of air into and out of the lungs. Thus, you literally choke in your sleep. Your brain trades sleep for oxygen and then when oxygen levels get critically low the brain sends an alert to wake up and you clear the obstruction in your throat. This happens so fast, people do not realize they are waking up numerous times in the night. When you do not get sufficient oxygen for a prolonged period of time, sleep apnea can contribute to heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke. It can even result in premature death.

sleep apnea cycle

sleep apnea complications

Not feeling refreshed in the morning has other negative effects that increase stress hormones and can lead to depression. Your memory and functioning of the brain will also be diminished.

We can help solve the problem and snoring with an oral appliance. This custom made dental device pulls the lower jaw forward and downward opening up the airway. An open airway has much less of a chance to vibrate and produce snoring. Both you and your mate will be happier and healthier when you start having a good night’s sleep every night.

Alternative to CPAP

If you have been struggling with sleep apnea for a lengthy period of time, you may have been provided with a CPAP device by your medical doctor. This device requires using a mask that fits over your mouth and nose, while a machine rams air into your lungs. Although CPAP solves the problem of insufficient oxygen while sleeping, it creates another one. This device is cumbersome and uncomfortable to wear for hours. Patients can feel claustrophobic in their CPAP. Plus, the machine irritates the mouth, nose and eyes.  As a result, most patients stop using it, and the sleep apnea returns.

CPAP Problems

Dr. Nugent uses a Mandibular Advancement Device (MAD) to treat snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. This custom made dental device brings the lower jaw downward and forward opening up the airway. The device is titratable so Dr. Nugent can control how far the jaw is opened. MAD therapy is recommended in mild to moderate sleep apnea and for patients that are intolerant to CPAP therapy.

Sleep Apnea Deer Park

Snoring and sleep apnea don’t have to ruin your nights. Give us a call today at 832-487-0647 to see why we are the leading Pasadena, Texas Sleep Office that offers alternatives to CPAP.

 

Sleep Apnea Test

1. Do you snore or have you ever been told that you?
2. Have you ever been told you stop breathing while asleep?
3. Have you ever woken up suddenly gasping for air, shortness of breath, or with your heart racing?
4. Have you ever fallen asleep or nodded off while driving?
5. Do you feel excessively sleepy during the day?
6. Have you taken medication for, or been diagnosed with high blood pressure?
7. Do you have Type 2 Diabetes?
8. Are you overweight?
9. Do you wake up with headaches during the night or in the morning?
10. Do you have trouble falling asleep?
11. Do you have trouble staying asleep once you fall asleep?
12. Do you kick or jerk your legs while sleeping?
13. Do you feel burning, tingling or crawling sensations in your legs when you wake up?
Your Total Score is:
0

Risk levels based on scores of screening test:

Between 0-7: you are at low risk

Between 8-11: you are at moderate risk

Between 12-15: you are at high risk

16 or higher: means you are at severe risk

Our Recommendations

Your score places you at LOW risk. Dr. Nugent recommends that you proceed with formal testing and follow up care with medical professionals. Without formal testing, it is impossible to know exactly what your risk level is.

Your score places you at MODERATE risk. This can be serious and Dr. Nugent highly recommends that you proceed with formal testing and follow up care with medical professionals.

Your score places you at HIGH risk. This is serious and Dr. Nugent highly recommends that you proceed with formal testing and follow up care with medical professionals.

Your score places you at SEVERE risk. This is serious and Dr. Nugent highly recommends that you proceed with formal testing and follow up care with medical professionals.