If you've been diagnosed with sleep apnea, it's important to do everything you can to keep the disorder under control. Sleep apnea can cause sleep disturbances, but it can also lead to a loss of oxygen during your sleep. This can damage your body, brain, and increase your risk of cardiovascular disease. Here are three ways you can control the symptoms of sleep apnea:

Weight Loss

One of the first things you are likely to be told about sleep apnea is that it's sometimes reversible with weight loss. This is because when you carry excess weight, fat develops throughout the body; this includes the throat. That weight presses down on the airway when you sleep and your muscles relax, which can limit your ability to inhale. This is one potential cause of sleep apnea, so if you're overweight, it's always a good idea to try and shed a few pounds to see if that alleviates some of the symptoms.

CPAP

One of the most common treatment methods for sleep apnea is the CPAP machine. CPAP machines look similar to oxygen masks. They fit over the nose and mouth and are worn while sleeping. They provide pressurized air that forces your airway to stay open while you're asleep, stopping the symptoms of sleep apnea.

CPAP machines are very effective, but they have unfortunate side effects. They're noisy and can disturb the patient as well as anyone sleeping with them. In addition, they can dry out your nose and mouth from the constant air flow, and the mask and tubing need to be regularly cleaned or bacteria can grow and potentially make you sick.

Dental Appliance

Lastly, you could potentially look to your dentist for help with sleep apnea. Dentists can build special appliances that fit in your mouth when you sleep at night. This appliance therapy is designed to help prop your mouth open slightly to stretch the muscles responsible for keeping the windpipe open. This means that your windpipe won't collapse, and you'll be able to sleep at night.

Unlike CPAP machine, appliance therapy is a simple item that fits in your mouth, similar to a retainer. It doesn't make noise, and cleaning it is as simple as brushing it like you would your teeth. As far as sleep apnea treatments go, dental appliances are one of the most comfortable and effective.

Sleep apnea can kill, so it's important to take steps to prevent it from harming you. If you want the quietest and easiest way to keep your airway open, talk to a dentist about sleep apnea appliance therapy and whether you're a good fit. Contact a dental office like Jerry C Hu DDS Family Dentistry LLC for more information and assistance.