Managing Sleep Apnea in State College

Your day starts off with a headache, which is followed later by extreme afternoon fatigue. This seems to be your typical pattern lately as you struggle to get through your days. Did you know that you might be suffering from sleep apnea? You don’t have to live this way, as there are great solutions for sleep apnea in State College. Dr. Robert Jeanmenne shares more on sleep apnea and how to treat it.

Sleep Apnea 101 – What is it?

Sleep apnea is actually a disorder that causes you to stop breathing during the night, typically due to an obstructed airway. The lack of oxygen triggers your brain to wake you up, and this can happen literally hundreds of times throughout the night. While you may not realize you’re waking up, the lack of rest takes its toll on your body and you may begin to experience symptoms such as:

• Frequent headaches or migraines – especially in the morning
• Chronic fatigue
• Difficulty concentrating or focusing throughout the day
• Weight gain

Sleep apnea left untreated can also contribute to other health concerns such as high blood pressure, heart failure, stroke, and diabetes.

How is Sleep Apnea Treated?

CPAP, or continuous positive airway pressure therapy is the standard for care for patients with sleep apnea. CPAP therapy is not always the most successful treatment for patients because it requires you to wear a mask over your face while you sleep, which causes some patients to feel claustrophobic. Others feel that the machine is too loud, and they find it hard to get to sleep.

Dr. Jeanmenne has been practicing sleep medicine since 2001, and he offers an alternative solution for patients with sleep apnea with oral appliance therapy. He creates customized devices designed to slightly reposition the jaw forward, which opens your airway for free breathing throughout the night. An oral appliance is easy and comfortable to wear at night, and it can be combined with CPAP therapy for patients who struggle with more severe cases of sleep apnea.

Your dentist in State College is happy to partner with your physician to ensure that you receive the best therapy for your condition and that you finally get a good night’s rest once again.

Contact Dr. Jeanmenne

Contact our office today to learn more about how Dr. Jeanmenne can help you effectively manage sleep apnea.