Providing Better Smiles to Calgary & nearby areas of Alberta

Snoring is an all too common affliction affecting one in three men, and one in four women in Canada. While you may think that snoring is nothing more than a nuisance, it can signify deeper health problems, including a condition called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).symptoms of sleep apnea calgary

Sleep apnea occurs when the airway is blocked during sleep, causing loud snoring as well as pauses in breathing. Sleep apnea can cause breathing to stop multiple times in a night for at least 10 seconds, often longer. This oxygen deprivation and resulting lack of a good night’s sleep in turn causes symptoms such as:

  • Daytime fatigue
  • Weight gain
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Headaches
  • Depression and irritability

Plus, people with sleep apnea are at a higher risk for stroke and heart disease, and tend to have shorter lifespans.

How To Tell If You Have Sleep Apnea

Not everyone who snores has sleep apnea. Dr. Jennifer Silver offers two initial screening tests to help determine if you may have sleep apnea:

Epworth Test: This is a scale that measures how sleepy you are during the day. While basic, it is widely considered a good indicator of sleep apnea.

Apnea Risk Evaluation System (ARES): This is a more comprehensive assessment, used when the results of the Epworth Test along with the presence of other sleep apnea symptoms warrant further diagnosis.
Treatments for Snoring and Sleep Apnea

If you or a loved one snores loudly and regularly, it’s probably a good idea to get tested for sleep apnea. If it turns out you have the condition, there are effective treatments available that can help you stop snoring and breathe better at night.

Dr. Silver offers a snoring treatment called a “mandibular advancement device” at his office in Calgary. This device helps to position the jaw slightly forward in order to allow air to pass through. It’s customized for your own jaw, making it comfortable to wear and easy to use.

Schedule a Snoring Consultation

Don’t wait to get your snoring checked out. Sleep apnea can be dangerous if left untreated. Contact Dr. Silver today at 403-278-1415 to schedule your appointment today. We serve Calgary and nearby areas of Alberta.