Do you ever hear the words, “Stop snoring!” in the middle of the night? That nightly racket may be more than merely an annoying sound that wakes the person sleeping one pillow over. Snoring is one of the chief symptoms of a more serious condition called sleep apnea. In Fort Worth, sleep apnea sufferers know they can rely on the knowledge and treatment of general dentist Dr. Renee Corbitt.
Sleep apnea is a chronic condition that actually halts breathing repeatedly throughout the night. The most common form is obstructive sleep apnea, which is when your tongue and other soft tissue collapse to block your airway. This blockage is what leads to snoring as air vibrates these tissues. The consequences of sleep apnea aren’t only lost sleep that can cause severe daytime drowsiness, but other health concerns include heart disease, obesity, diabetes and depression.
To correctly treat sleep apnea, Dr. Corbitt has invested time and money in a number of courses and seminar. She has completed the University of California at Los Angeles’ Sleep Medicine mini-residency. She has received further training in sleep apnea treatment at:
- UCLA TMJ/Orofacial Pain Disorders Mini Residency 2012
- University of Kentucky Orofacial Pain Shadow Program 2013
- University of Medicine and Dentistry New Jersey (now Rutgers) Orofacial Pain Mini Residency 2012-2013
- UCLA Sleep and Orofacial Pain Study Club 2014
- 500+ Hours of Sleep and Orofacial Pain Continuing Education
Treating Sleep Apnea in Fort Worth
The treatment Dr. Corbitt recommends will depend on the severity of your sleep apnea, which will be determined after a conclusive sleep study. For mild cases, lifestyle alterations may be all that’s necessary. These can include weight loss, exercise, quitting smoking, reduced alcohol consumption and sleeping on your side. Moderate cases are often served by an oral device worn at night while you sleep. By shifting the tongue and lower jaw forward, this appliance helps keep your airway open for free and easy breathing. For the most severe cases of sleep apnea, the best treatment may a CPAP—continuous positive airway pressure—machine. Regardless of your degree of severity, you can count on Dr. Corbitt to treat your sleep apnea appropriately.
Call Our Office Today
If you suspect that you or a loved one might have sleep apnea, then call the Fort Worth dentist, Dr. Renee Corbitt. We also conveniently serves patients in Arlington, Richland Hills, Forest Hill and Haltom City and throughout the DFW Metroplex.