Sleep apnea may be to blame for your snoring. In Bonita Springs, Marco, and Fort Myers, contact Dr. Fred Eck & Associates to explore treatment options.
Bonita Springs Dental Care
Dr. Fred Eck & Associates
8951 Bonita Beach Road
Suite 206
Bonita Springs, Florida 34135
Phone: (239) 494-4088
Fax: (239) 992-8644
Marco Dental Care
Dr. Fred Eck & Associates
950 N. Collier Blvd. Suite 305
Marco Island, Florida 34145
Phone: (239) 719-1044
Fax: (239) 389-4999
Fort Myers Dental Care
Dr. Fred Eck & Associates
5781 Lee Blvd. Ste. 103
Lehigh Acres, Florida 33971
Located in Crossroads Plaza
Phone: (239) 303-4546
Sleep Apnea Treatment - Stop Snoring, Sleep Better
If you feel poorly rested even after a full night’s sleep, snore, or wake up frequently during the night, you may suffer from a very real, but treatable, medical condition. Sleep apnea affects as many as one in five Americans, causing a variety of sleeping problems. At Dr. Fred Eck & Associates in Bonita Springs, we treat sleep apnea patients suffering from snoring and other problems in and around Fort Myers, Marco, and other communities in Southwestern Florida. With our help, you can take control of your breathing and enjoy safer, more satisfying sleep.
About Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea is a relatively common sleep disorder that causes pauses in breathing during sleep. Individuals with obstructive sleep apnea experience periodic pauses in breathing lasting 10 seconds or more due to a blockage of the airway. Symptoms include loud snoring, waking suddenly or in a sweat, choking or gasping during sleep, and daytime sleepiness. Individuals in Bonita Springs, Fort Myers, and Marco who experience snoring and other sleep apnea symptoms should be evaluated as soon as possible by Dr. Fred Eck to determine whether treatment is required.
Obstructive sleep apnea can be caused by many different factors. Physical characteristics that may contribute include oversized tonsils, tongue, or adenoids; obesity; and a deviated septum or receding chin. Some patients suffering from sleep apnea may have throat muscles that relax more than usual during sleep, potentially due to alcohol use, prescription sedatives, or age. Chronic nasal congestion may also be a factor. Any of these breathing obstructions can cause loud snoring and other breathing problems that make it difficult to sleep, and, in some cases, pauses in breathing last so long as to be life-threatening.
Snoring and Sleep Apnea Treatments
Depending on the causes and severity of the condition, different sleep apnea treatments may be effective. Dr. Eck explores every available option with his patients to identify the right solution. If the problem is caused by alcohol or sedatives, reducing consumption or eliminating the offending substances may be the best option.
Obstructive sleep apnea and snoring caused by anatomical issues often require an oral device. Many different designs are possible depending on what part of the body is causing the problem. These devices most often resemble an athletic mouth guard or orthodontic retainer, and are designed to adjust the position of the jaw or tongue in order to maintain an open airway, eliminating snoring and making breathing easier.
For some patients, the best treatment option is surgery. By removing the tonsils, adenoids, and excess tissue in the throat and nose, it is sometimes possible to widen the airways to improve nighttime breathing problems. This treatment is usually a last resort, as the procedure is not always effective and it is best to avoid surgery when possible.
Sleep Apnea-related Snoring - Schedule a Consultation in Bonita Springs, near Marco and Fort Myers
If you live in or near Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, or Marco and you suffer from sleep apnea-related snoring and other nighttime breathing problems, we want to help. Sleep apnea treatment can help you and your partner sleep better and enjoy life more as a result. Contact Dr. Fred Eck & Associates today to schedule an appointment.