Dr. James P. Furgurson is a dentist in the Durham, NC area who also specializes sleep apnea and snoring. He is a member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine and has been trained to help patients manage their sleep disorders. Dr. Furgurson offers sleep apnea treatment in Durham, NC.
In addition to providing comprehensive dental services to clients, we treat patients with sleeping disorders. Dentists who study in the area of dental sleep medicine focus on the use of oral appliance therapy.
His dental practice, Chapel Hill Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, welcomes new patients from Durham who seek relief from sleep apnea symptoms.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea, the most common type, is a sleep disorder in which a person briefly stops breathing while they are asleep. While the person will begin breathing again, this disorder can lead to many health issues and complications.
Breathing ceases because of an obstruction in the upper airway. The obstruction is actually the muscles in the back of the throat completely relaxing. This makes it impossible for air to pass through. The brain receives a signal that breathing has ceased and the person is woken up to reopen the airway.
A person will stop breathing for ten seconds or longer during a single episode. Depending on how severe their sleep apnea is, this can happen up to 400 times a night.
Sleep Apnea Symptoms
Not many people are even aware that they suffer from sleep apnea. This is why you should know all the signs and symptoms. If you or your partner suffers from any of the following, please schedule a visit with your doctor:
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Issues concentrating during the day
- Suddenly waking up gasping for air
- Loud snoring
- Frequent headaches
- Snorting or choking while sleeping
- Abnormal feelings such as depression or irritability
- Waking up with a dry mouth
Sleep Apnea Risk Factors
These factors can increase your risk of sleep apnea:
- Obesity: You are at an increased risk of sleep apnea if you are overweight or obese. Fat deposits in the neck and throat can narrow the airway.
- Gender: Men are at a higher risk of sleep apnea. However, women can increase their risk of sleep apnea during menopause because of nighttime hot flashes.
- Age: Patients over 40 are more at risk of sleep apnea. As you age, the muscles that support breathing weaken.
- Nasal Congestion: Chronic nasal congestion, whether from allergies, a deviated septum, or other respiratory issues, can obstruct airflow. You may find it harder to breathe when you have these conditions.
- Neck Circumference: A large neck circumference can narrow the airway and increase the risk of sleep apnea.
- Use of Alcohol or Sedatives: Alcohol or sedative medications relaxes the muscles in the throat.
- Smoking: Smoking can increase inflammation in the upper airway. This can increase the risk of airway collapse.
- Hypertension: Sleep apnea reduces oxygen levels in the blood. This increases the risk of hypertension. In addition, if you have high blood pressure, it can worsen sleep apnea symptoms.
The Link Between Sleep Apnea and Your Health
If sleep apnea is not treated, it can affect many parts of your daily life. For adults, it can make it hard to focus at work. For children, sleep apnea can lead to behavior problems like being overly active, having trouble paying attention, or becoming easily upset. These problems can make it harder for kids to do well in school and get along with others.
People with sleep apnea often feel very tired during the day because their sleep is constantly interrupted. This tiredness can make it harder to think clearly or react quickly, which can increase the risk of accidents and injuries.
Sleep apnea can also lead to serious health problems. It’s linked to a higher risk of type 2 diabetes because it can affect how the body controls blood sugar levels. Sleep apnea may also cause stomach issues like acid reflux. When sleep is disturbed, it can increase pressure in the stomach and cause acid to move up into the throat.
Some lifestyle changes, like quitting smoking or losing weight, may help reduce sleep apnea symptoms. However, many people still need professional treatment to breathe better at night and get the rest they need.
Oral Appliance Therapy for Sleep Apnea in Durham, NC
Before sleep apnea treatment in our dental office, we recommend a sleep test. An at-home sleep test or sleep test in a lab will determine if you have sleep apnea. During the test, they’ll measure your number of pauses during sleep, limb movement, eye movement, and more.
If you are diagnosed with sleep apnea, Dr. Furgurson can help. He’s trained in dental sleep medicine and can fit you with a custom devices so you can breathe normally while you sleep. This device can make it easier to get a full night of rest without interruptions.
An oral sleep appliance looks similar to a regular mouthguard. It will help open the airway to allow for proper airflow and to reposition the tongue and jaw to keep the airway open. The oral appliance will prevent the tongue from blocking the airway and push your jaw forward.
If you wear the oral sleep appliance while sleeping, you can breathe normally throughout the entire night. Then, you can feel rested when you wake up.
Many people are unhappy with the idea of needing a continuous positive airway pressure machine, also called a CPAP. These machines are bulky, loud, and hard to move.
If you suffer from mild to moderate sleep apnea, then you may qualify for an oral sleep appliance. Dental sleep appliances have many advantages over CPAPs. Sleep appliances are:
- More comfortable
- Easier to use
- Portable
- Cost-effective
- Less intrusive
- Easier to care for and clean
- Quiet and discreet
Some patients find it hard to adjust to the sensation of CPAP air pressure and the bulkiness of the mask. Oral appliances are comfortable and less intrusive, so they can lead to higher compliance rates and more effective treatment outcomes.
Sleep Apnea FAQs
Learn more with answers to common questions about sleep apnea in our Durham, NC, dental office:
What is the difference between an oral appliance and a CPAP machine?
Both treatments address sleep apnea but work differently. A CPAP machine uses air pressure to keep your airway open while you sleep. You wear a mask over your nose or mouth, and the machine blows air through the mask to help you breathe. Some people find it hard to sleep with the mask, or don’t like the noise the machine makes.
An oral appliance is a small device that fits in your mouth. It gently moves your lower jaw forward to keep your airway open. Sleep appliances are quiet, easy to use, and good for people with mild to moderate sleep apnea.
How does sleep apnea affect the heart?
Sleep apnea can be hard on your heart. Your body doesn’t get enough oxygen when you stop breathing during sleep. This makes your heart work harder. Over time, this extra stress can lead to serious problems like high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, heart attacks, or even heart failure.
Your heart needs steady oxygen and rest to stay healthy. Treating sleep apnea can help protect your heart and improve your overall health.
Will losing weight help treat sleep apnea?
Yes, losing weight can help treat sleep apnea. Weight loss might not cure sleep apnea completely but can help reduce your symptoms.
Extra fat around the neck can block your airway. Losing weight, especially around your neck and belly, can help open your airway and make breathing easier at night. This means fewer breathing problems and better sleep.
Can dairy make sleep apnea worse?
Yes, dairy can make sleep apnea worse for some people. Drinking milk or eating cheese close to bedtime may cause your body to make more mucus. Extra mucus can block your nose or throat and make it harder to breathe while you sleep. Try limiting dairy at night to see if it helps you sleep better.
Can sleep apnea go away on its own?
Sleep apnea doesn’t usually go away on its own. In some cases, mild sleep apnea might improve with healthy lifestyle changes like losing weight, sleeping on your side, or treating allergies. However, most people need some kind of treatment to manage it.
If sleep apnea is not treated, it can get worse over time and cause serious health problems. That’s why it’s important to talk to your doctor and dentist.
Why do I wake up with headaches if I have sleep apnea?
You might wake up with headaches because your brain isn’t getting enough oxygen while you sleep. When you stop breathing during the night, even for a short time, the oxygen level in your blood drops. This widens the blood vessels in your brain.
Also, your sleep gets interrupted many times during the night, even if you don’t fully wake up. Poor sleep and low oxygen can leave you feeling tired and give you a headache in the morning.
Can sleep apnea return after treatment?
Yes, sleep apnea can return after treatment based on lifestyle factors. For example, if you gain weight after losing weight, sleep apnea symptoms can worsen.
As you age, your throat muscles can weaken and increase the risk of symptoms. If you stop using your oral appliance, your symptoms will likely return. Sticking with consistent treatment will reduce the risk of sleep apnea returning.
Can sleep apnea affect my life expectancy?
Yes, sleep apnea can affect your life expectancy if not treated. When you stop breathing during sleep, your body gets less oxygen. This puts extra stress on your heart and can lead to serious health problems like high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, or type 2 diabetes.
Over time, these health problems can increase your risk of dying earlier than expected. The good news is that treating sleep apnea can lower these risks and help you live a longer, healthier life.
We Welcome Patients for Sleep Apnea Treatment in Durham
Don’t let sleep apnea ruin your daily life. Contact Dr. Furgurson to see if you qualify for an oral sleep appliance. To schedule an appointment, you can call us at 919.736.6175. You can also schedule an appointment online for sleep apnea treatment in Durham, NC.
If you have questions about sleep apnea, let us know at your next visit. We’re here to help.