Jerry C. Hu, DDS Family Dentistry, LLC
Anchorage: 907 202-9685
Soldotna: 907 262-6466
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An Overview of Sleep Apnea

1/21/2022

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What is Sleep Apnea?

A sleep study can tell you which type of sleep apnea you have. "Apnea" comes from Greek, meaning "without breath." Obstructive, central, and mixed apnea are the three types of apnea; obstructive apnea is the most common. Regardless of the root cause, people with untreated sleep apnea stop breathing repeatedly during the night and often for a minute or longer. 

Obstructive Sleep Apnea occurs when the soft tissues around the throat collapse during sleep, obstructing the airway. This includes the tongue reverting to its original position, continuing to obstruct the airway. This obstruction occurs when the jaw is underdeveloped, leaving insufficient room for the tongue. By fully developing the jaw bones and thus eliminating the obstruction, epigenetic science can make room for the tongue. 

Is Sleep Apnea Rare?

According to the National Institutes of Health, sleep apnea is as common as adult diabetes. Being a man, being overweight, and being over the age of forty are all risk factors. On the other hand, sleep apnea can affect anyone at any age, including children. Despite the fact that this serious disorder can have significant and deadly consequences, the vast majority of sufferers remain undiagnosed and thus untreated due to a lack of public and healthcare professional awareness. 

Sleep Apnea Treatment 

Around 80% of people with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) go their entire lives without being diagnosed. This lack of diagnosis means that these people suffer from snoring, pauses in breathing while sleeping, and other sleep apnea symptoms, are not being treated. A sleep test is one of the first steps in receiving a diagnosis for sleep apnea. Polysomnography, or sleep testing, can be done at home or in a sleep clinic. 

Smiles of Alaska Offers Dental Sleep Medicine

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Contact the Smiles of Alaska team for more information on diagnosing sleep apnea and the various treatment options. Our email address is office@smilesofalaska.com, and our phone number is 907-349-6466. Our sleep medicine-focused family dentistry practice with offices in Soldotna and Anchorage, Alaska. We are excited to help our patients live their lives to the fullest!

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Do I Need a Sleep Test?

8/24/2021

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A man is snoring.
About 80% of individuals with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) live their lives without a diagnosis. This means that these individuals are experiencing excessive snoring, pausing of breath while sleeping, and other sleep apnea symptoms without treatment. One of the first steps an individual can take to receive a diagnosis for sleep apnea is to undergo a sleep test. 

A sleep test, or polysomnography, is done either at home or at a sleep clinic. Easier access to sleep testing at a sleep clinic allows more individuals to receive a diagnosis for their disorder breathing or other sleeping issues. However, before scheduling a sleep study at a clinic, a person should ask themselves eight questions.

Moreover, a proper diagnosis allows an individual to receive a personalized treatment plan. Without treatment of OSA, a person’s symptoms will worsen and can lead to other health conditions.

Ask Yourself These Questions
There are some preliminary questions a person can ask themselves to determine if speaking with a doctor regarding a sleep test is necessary.

  1. Is my snoring excessively loud?
  2. Am I extremely tired or sleepy throughout the day?
  3. Is my blood pressure higher than normal?
  4. Is my BMI over 35?
  5. Has someone seen my breathing pause during sleep?
  6. Am I over 50 years old?
  7. Am I male?
  8. Is my neck larger than 40 centimeters (15.75 inches) in circumference?

A “yes” response to at least three of the eight questions is an indication that the individuals might have sleep apnea and should consult with their doctor about sleep testing. 

Additionally, answering “yes” to three of the above questions makes an individual a candidate for at-home testing. At-home testing for OSA is less involved than testing at a sleep clinic. Moreover, the individual will place the electrodes on themselves and will sleep in their bed. For those with mild sleep apnea symptoms, at-home testing is a great option.

However, those with more severe OSA symptoms will need to undergo testing at a sleep clinic. At a sleep clinic, technicians will place the electrodes and monitor the person’s vitals. 

Contact Smiles of Alaska
For more information regarding diagnosing sleep apnea and the various treatment options, contact the Smiles of Alaska team. We are available through email at office@smilesofalaska.com or by phone at 907-349-6466. We are a family dentistry practice located in Soldotna and Anchorage, Alaska, specializing in sleep medicine.

We look forward to assisting our patients in living life to the fullest!

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Anchorage Hours
Friday - Saturday 9:00am-5:00pm
Sunday by appointment

Soldotna Hours

Tuesday - Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm

Anchorage location:
12570 Old Seward Highway Suite 201
Anchorage, AK 99515 

Contact/mailing Information:
Dr. Jerry C. Hu, DDS
125 N. Binkley St.
Soldotna, Alaska 99669



Anchorage phone: 907-202-9685
Soldotna phone: (907) 262-6466
Toll Free: 1-888-975-3888
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fax- (907) 260-3459
office@smilesofalaska.com

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