Treatment for Snoring and Sleep Apnea

Many of us snore. It is an annoyance for our own sleep and for those around us, but it can also indicate a more serious sleep disorder, sleep apnea. Traverse City dentist Dr. Hutchison want you to understand sleep apnea is much more severe than snoring alone, because the airway becomes blocked and you actually stop breathing. In more pronounced cases of sleep apnea, referred to as obstructive sleep apnea, this airway blockage happens repeatedly and the body can go for minutes without air, before the brain jolts the person awake, startled and gasping for air.

Common sleep apnea symptoms to be aware of:

• Snoring
• Wake up feeling un-rested, feeling fatigued throughout the day
• Someone has observed you stop breathing during sleep
• Memory problems
• Sweating and chest pain during sleep
• Morning or evening headaches
• Excessive dry mouth upon waking up

People who casually snore as well as sufferers of obstructive sleep apnea can benefit from an oral appliance as a Traverse City sleep apnea solution from Dr. Hutchison. The Thornton Adjustable Positioner®, or TAP® for short, is the only FDA-approved oral appliance to treat sleep apnea. Dr. Hutchison customizes each TAP® for individual patients and it works by comfortably adjusting the jaws to allow maximum air intake during sleep. This is the only oral appliance that is adjustable within the mouth, enabling you to fine-tune your own treatment.

Left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to these serious health conditions:

• Chronic sleepiness
• High blood pressure
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Heartburn
• Depression
• Impotence
• Death

Unlike the CPAP machine, which supplies oxygen to sleep apnea patients through a nasal and oral mask, the TAP® mouthguard is portable, convenient, customized just for you and comfortable enough to sleep with throughout the whole night. Additionally, there are other oral conditions which affect the comfort of your jaw joint, called TMJ or TMD, for which Michael Hutchison provides comprehensive treatment. A poorly balanced jaw joint could contribute to sleep apnea symptoms, so treatment can provide worthwhile relief.

An easy, reliable and comfortable Traverse City sleep apnea solution is at your fingertips. Sleep apnea could be compromising your health and happiness, consult with Dr. Hutchison to benefit from their specialized training for sleep apnea relief.

Providing Traverse City sleep apnea services to Elk Rapids and Alden, MI.