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 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 can include:
- 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, often associated with obesity, 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.
Left untreated, sleep apnea can impact your work and school life. Sleep apnea in children can increase the risk of behavioral problems. These problems can include hyperactivity, attention issues, and irritability. This may impact their performance at school and social interactions.
Daytime sleepiness can increase the risk of accidents and injuries. Sleepiness caused by disruptions during sleep can also impair reaction time and decision-making abilities.
Health problems are also connected to sleep apnea. If you have sleep apnea, you may have an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. Sleep apnea impairs your body’s ability to regulate blood sugar.
In addition, sleep apnea is linked to acid reflux and gastrointestinal problems. Sleep problems may increase pressure in the abdomen and force stomach contents upward.
In some cases, smoking cessation and weight loss can reduce sleep apnea symptoms. However, many patients need professional treatment to lessen their symptoms.
Oral Appliance Therapy for Sleep Apnea
Before sleep apnea treatment in our denta office, we recommend a sleep test. An at-home sleep test or sleep test in a lab will determine if your have sleep apnea. During sleep tests, they will meauser your number of pauses during sleep, limb movement, eye movement, and more.
If you are diagnosed with sleep apnea, Dr. Furgurson can help you find relief. As a dental sleep medicine-trained dentist, he can help you find an oral device that is designed to help you breathe continuously through the night.
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. As a result, they can lead to higher compliance rates and more effective treatment outcomes.
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.