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At Long Island Smile, we are proud of our continuing commitment to the field of dental sleep medicine. Drs. Rein and Seltzer remain dedicated to education and research, and are both an active part of a distinguished group of only a select few Diplomates of the Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine. While maintaining their practice, they also serve as consultants to several New York area hospital-based sleep centers and work closely with other local private sleep centers. What is sleep apnea? Sleep apnea is defined as a temporary stoppage of breathing during sleep. The most common form is known as obstructive sleep apnea, in which the muscles at the base of the tongue and the uvula relax during sleep. This results in airway obstruction, causing the oxygen level in the blood to fall. If left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to an increased risk of high blood pressure, stroke and heart attack. What are the symptoms of sleep apnea? Many of the symptoms of sleep apnea, such as abnormal snoring with gasps and pauses are only visible during sleep, leaving many people to suffer without knowing they are affected. However, if you are experiencing memory changes or depression, or have excessive daytime sleepiness, you may be experiencing the effects of the disorder. What are the treatment options for sleep apnea? As more and more research has been done on sleep apnea, medical practitioners have stressed several general measures for treating the disorder. In some cases, avoiding alcohol and sedatives, losing excess weight or sleeping on one side have been successful remedies. For more advanced cases, there are sleep laboratories that monitor and diagnose different stages of sleep apnea. Depending on the severity of the diagnosis, oral appliance therapy, or CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure), may be recommended. This therapy involves breathing forced air that is administered through a mask worn over the nose during sleep. For the most severe cases of sleep apnea, surgery may be the best solution. At Long Island Smile, Drs. Rein and Seltzer remain on the forefront of sleep apnea treatment and dental sleep medicine. We would be happy to schedule a consultation for you, during which we will advise you of the best treatment option for your symptoms. Please call us today to set up an office consultation. |
101 Hillside Ave. Suite A
Williston Park, NY 11596 Phone:516-741-6202
Fax:516-741-9620
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