The Greek word for “apnea” means “without breath.” Sleep Apnea is an involuntary suspension of breathing during sleep. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), the most common sleep disorder, causes the patient to stop breathing repeatedly during sleep. Sometimes the patient can stop breathing hundreds of times during their sleep, often for at least 60 seconds each time. Most of the time the patient is not fully awakened by the stoppages which causes them to be unaware of their sleep condition. If untreated, sleep apnea can lead to serious health issues such as heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure. OSA is more prevalent in men than women and symptoms include snoring and daytime sleepiness.
At AZTMJ, Dr. Stan Farrell has extensive training in treating sleep apnea and other sleep disorders. Dr. Farrell offers one of the leading alternatives for the CPAP, which is an oral appliance that can be used in conjunction with a CPAP or as a stand-alone oral appliance depending on the severity of the individual’s OSA. If you or someone you know might be suffering from obstructive sleep apnea, please schedule an initial consultation today with Dr. Farrell at 480-945-3629 or visit us at www.headpaininstitute.com for more information.
