When to Consider a Sleep Study

Sleep apnea damages your health and quality of life. What is worse: many people do not know they are being affected by it. At Prairie Dental Care, we provide a variety of solutions that will help manage your condition leading to restful and comfortable sleep.

By knowing the symptoms of sleep apnea, you are better equipped to identify whether you need sleep apnea treatment. We recommend trying a self-sleep study in Vancouver, WA. Below are a few tools and exercises you may use to evaluate your sleep habits. After trying these exercises, speak with your primary care provider and discuss your needs.

Self-Sleep Testing Tips and Strategies

The first step to starting any new treatment is determining whether you need it—that starts at home. A tricky aspect about sleep apnea is that many sufferers do not realize that they have it. Often, it is the patient’s partner who makes the initial observations. Communicate with your partner about concerns about restlessness after sleep, or the inability to concentrate during the day. You may have sleep apnea if you:

  • Snore Loudly
  • Stop Breathing During Sleep
  • Awaken Abruptly During the Night
  • Have Dry Mouth or a Sore Throat Upon Awakening
  • Wake Up with a Headache

There are also risk factors to consider—aspects of your health and lifestyle which may indicate your risk of developing the condition. You may need to consider sleep testing if you:

  • Snore
  • Are Overweight
  • Have High Blood Pressure or Acid Reflux
  • Have Physical Abnormalities in the Nose, Throat, Tonsils, Uvula, or Tongue
  • Have a Large Neck Size (Greater than 17” for Men, 16” for Women)
  • Have a Family History that Includes Sleep Apnea

When to Consider Screening for Sleep Apnea

If you exhibit any of the above symptoms or risk factors, then it is time to speak with your primary care provider. Your physician may refer you to sleep specialists to undergo observation and diagnostic exams.

The test may be conducted at a sleep therapy center, or you may receive a pulse-ox test to try at home. Depending on the findings from this sleep studies, you may be diagnosed with sleep apnea, among other disorders.

After these tests, your sleep specialist or physician may recommend getting treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. While the CPAP machine remains one of the most effective avenues for treating sleep apnea, many patients do not like having to wear a facemask to bed. Fortunately, there are other options. Talk to your physician about oral appliances that treat sleep apnea.

After talking to your health care provider about sleep apnea, request a consultation with us and begin exploring your treatment options. Our dentist office serves sleep apnea patients throughout Vancouver, WA.