Do You Struggle with Sleep Apnea?
Do you wake up exhausted, feel irritable during the day, or have trouble concentrating at work? These aren’t just signs of poor rest—they may be symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a common sleep disorder that causes you to stop breathing multiple times during the night.
If left untreated, OSA can affect your overall health, raising your risk of high blood pressure, heart problems, and stroke. At Allouez Family Dental in Green Bay, WI, Dr. Daniel Fama and Dr. Kyle Whiteside offer personalized obstructive sleep apnea treatment near you to help you finally get a good night’s sleep. Call our Green Bay dental office today at (920) 339-8980 to schedule your consultation. We proudly welcome patients from Allouez, Abrams, Denmark, Casco, Seymour, and the surrounding Green Bay communities.
What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea is a sleep disorder where the soft tissues of the throat and airway collapse during sleep, causing pauses in breathing (apneas). This leads to loud snoring, gasping, choking, and disrupted rest.
OSA can range from mild to severe, but regardless of severity, proper diagnosis and treatment procedures are essential for protecting your long-term health.
Why Treatment Matters for Your Health
When sleep apnea is left untreated, it can lead to serious health complications, including:
- Heart problems and increased risk of heart failure
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Daytime drowsiness and difficulty maintaining wakefulness
- Higher risk of car accidents due to fatigue
- Depression and mood changes
- Reduced quality of life and overall well-being
Symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea symptoms can appear at night and during the day.
Nighttime Symptoms
The nighttime symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea include:
- Loud, chronic snoring
- Pauses in breathing (often noticed by a bed partner)
- Gasping or choking during sleep
- Frequent waking or restless sleep
- Morning headaches
Daytime Symptoms
During the day, individuals with obstructive sleep apnea may experience the following symptoms:
- Excessive sleepiness
- Trouble concentrating at work or school
- Irritability or depression
- Feeling unrefreshed after a full night in bed
If these symptoms of sleep apnea sound familiar, it’s time to see a sleep specialist or dentist in Green Bay for an evaluation.
Causes and Risk Factors of Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Several factors can increase your risk of OSA:
- Obesity (extra weight around the throat/neck narrows the airway)
- Large neck circumference or thick soft tissues
- Age (more common in middle-aged and older adults)
- Gender (men have a higher risk, but women after menopause are also at risk)
- Family history of sleep apnea
- Smoking or alcohol use
- Nasal congestion or a deviated septum
- Medical conditions such as hypothyroidism, PCOS, or GERD
- Children with enlarged tonsils/adenoids
How Sleep Apnea Is Diagnosed in Green Bay
Consultation and Medical History
During your consultation for OSA diagnosis, your dentist or sleep medicine specialist will conduct an evaluation for the condition. This can include:
- Comprehensively review your medical history
- Physical examination of the throat, neck, and mouth
- Request a sleep study to assess the severity of the condition
Sleep Study
The gold standard for diagnosing OSA is a sleep study (polysomnography), either in a lab or at home with a portable monitor. During the test, your breathing, oxygen levels, heart rate, and brain activity are monitored to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment Options for OSA in Green Bay, WI
Lifestyle Changes
Lifestyle changes can play a significant role in alleviating OSA symptoms. Changes that may be recommended include:
- Weight loss to reduce airway pressure
- Avoiding alcohol and sedatives before bed
- Better sleep hygiene (consistent sleep schedule, reducing screen time at night)
CPAP Therapy
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is often the first-line treatment for moderate to severe OSA. CPAP machines keep your airway open with gentle air pressure, preventing breathing pauses and helping you achieve restorative rest.
Oral Appliance Therapy
If CPAP isn’t right for you, oral appliance therapy is an effective alternative. These custom-fitted devices reposition the lower jaw and tongue, keeping the airway open. Our Green Bay dentists provide oral appliances for sleep apnea that are comfortable and portable.
Surgery (for Severe Cases)
When other treatments fail, surgical options for sleep apnea may be considered. Procedures such as uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) or jaw advancement surgery may be used, but surgery is usually a last resort.
Frequently Asked Questions
OSA occurs when the throat muscles relax and block the airway. Risk factors of obstructive sleep apnea include obesity, family history, smoking, alcohol use, and certain medical conditions.
Mild cases of sleep apnea may improve with weight loss and lifestyle changes, but most people require ongoing treatment such as oral appliance therapy or CPAP.
There’s a difference between the two sleep disorders:
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA): The airway is physically blocked by soft tissues.
- Central sleep apnea (CSA): The brain doesn’t send proper breathing signals.
We’ll connect you with a sleep medicine specialist to schedule a sleep study. After diagnosis, our team will review the full range of treatment procedures available to improve your sleep and health.
Get Relief From Sleep Apnea in Green Bay
You don’t have to suffer through restless nights, loud snoring, and daytime fatigue. With obstructive sleep apnea treatment in Green Bay, you can finally breathe easier, sleep better, and protect your long-term health.
Call Allouez Family Dental today at (920) 339-8980 to schedule your sleep apnea consultation with our Green Bay dentists. We proudly serve patients in Allouez, Abrams, Denmark, Casco, Seymour, and the surrounding areas of Green Bay, WI.