Breathe Easier, Sleep Better with Sleep Apnea Treatment in Farmington
If you wake up tired no matter how early you go to bed, you might be suffering from sleep apnea—a serious, often undiagnosed condition that disrupts your breathing during sleep. Many people in Farmington, NM and nearby communities like Bloomfield, Aztec, Kirtland, and Shiprock are living with this condition without even knowing it. Fortunately, help is available close to home. Dr. Charles Schumacher, a trusted Farmington, NM sleep dentist, specializes in treating sleep apnea using custom oral appliances that can dramatically improve your quality of life. If you’re ready to sleep peacefully, contact our Farmington office by calling (505) 427-2936.
Experience Exceptional Sleep Apnea Care
At Desert Hills Dental Care, Dr. Charles Schumacher takes a holistic and non-invasive approach to treating sleep apnea. Rather than relying on bulky CPAP machines, he offers custom oral appliances that reposition your jaw and tongue to keep your airway open while you sleep.
Our patient Grace R. shared her experience:
- “After several bad experiences in the past, I was referred to Dr. Schumacher to help with my chronic fatigue and pain issues. He helped diagnose and treat my sleep apnea and TMJ. The device I received from him has improved the quality of my sleep and I’m very grateful.”
This personalized approach makes Dr. Schumacher a top dentist in Farmington, NM, especially for patients seeking alternative, comfortable treatments for sleep disorders.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a condition in which the body stops and restarts breathing throughout the night due to an obstruction in the throat, a neurological condition (which requires a specialist), or a combination of both. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common and easily treatable and is severe because it restricts a person’s airway while they sleep. This lack of breathing is caused when tissues in the throat collapse, preventing air from traveling to the lungs. Breathing is a vital function, so when your sleep pattern is disrupted, it can cause extreme sleepiness and fatigue during the day.
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
Daytime and nighttime symptoms vary, but both are hard to identify without professional help. Common symptoms include:
- Excessive daytime fatigue
- Loud or disruptive snoring
- Gasping for air during sleep
- Headache upon awakening
- Dry mouth upon awakening
If you or a loved one are experiencing any of these symptoms, please contact our office by calling (505) 427-2936 to discuss your treatment options with our Farmington sleep specialist. He will help you get the diagnosis and treatment that you deserve.
Dangers of Untreated Sleep Apnea
According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, at least 25 million Americans are suffering from sleep apnea, and most of these patients don’t even realize they have it. Unfortunately, the consequences of untreated sleep apnea are much more serious than many people realize.
Living with sleep apnea can make you feel tired and listless throughout the day. Many patients fall asleep at inappropriate times due to the fatigue that results from their inability to get a restful night’s sleep. If you have untreated sleep apnea, you’re more likely to suffer from a stroke or a heart attack, which could prove fatal. Other consequences range from heart disease to high blood pressure to diabetes, and a decrease in your overall quality of life. Additionally, sleep apnea leaves you more vulnerable to several mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety.
Sleep Apnea and Snoring
We treat both sleep apnea and snoring. Heavy snoring is often a sign that a patient suffers from sleep apnea. If you think you might be living with sleep apnea, or if you’ve already been diagnosed with it, Dr. Schumacher will make sure you get the proper care. We’ll design an individualized treatment plan just for you.
Snoring doesn’t always indicate a more serious issue so if we find that your heavy snoring isn’t due to sleep apnea, we can still treat your snoring using a small and convenient oral appliance. This will allow you to get relief and your loved ones to get a good night’s sleep.
Sleep Apnea Treatment at Our Farmington Office
A CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine is the most commonly prescribed treatment for severe sleep apnea and is very effective if one can tolerate it. If it works well for you or a loved one, by all means, stay with it. For many patients, however, CPAP can be bulky, inconvenient, and uncomfortable. That’s why Dr. Schumacher offers comfortable alternative treatment solutions if you’re looking to manage your sleep apnea symptoms but find CPAP unbearable. If you suffer from mild to moderate sleep apnea, or can’t tolerate a CPAP machine, oral appliances are an effective and convenient alternative.
An oral appliance is a small device that gently keeps the airway open while you sleep and doesn’t interfere with your mobility or comfort while sleeping. Unlike CPAP, an oral appliance is completely portable, doesn’t force you to sleep in a particular position, and no power source is required.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does sleep apnea impact relationships?
The irritability and difficulty concentrating that often results from sleep apnea can damage your personal and professional life. Snoring is often the number one symptom of sleep apnea which can impact your partner’s sleep quality leading to tension in romantic partnerships.
Snoring and sleep apnea can cause both partners to lose sleep and negatively affect their physical and mental health, which is why seeking treatment is crucial.
What can increase your risk of developing OSA?
Sleep apnea can affect people of all ages and sizes, but there are a few physical traits that put you at an increased risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea. For example, if you’re overweight or obese, it’s easier to develop sleep apnea due to excess tissue in your throat. However, even slim people can have snoring and sleep apnea.
Is the oral appliance comfortable to wear?
Most patients adjust quickly and find it much more comfortable than a CPAP. These devices are slim, custom-made, and easy to travel with—making them a popular option in Farmington and surrounding areas.
What if I snore but don’t have sleep apnea?
Even if you don’t have diagnosed sleep apnea, snoring can disrupt your rest and your partner’s. A custom oral device can reduce or eliminate snoring, giving everyone a better night’s sleep.
Wake Up to a Healthier Life with the Help of Dr. Schumacher
Living with sleep apnea can leave you feeling exhausted, foggy, and frustrated—but you don’t have to settle for restless nights and tired days. With compassionate care and proven results, Dr. Charles Schumacher offers a practical, comfortable solution through custom oral appliance therapy. Whether you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea or you’re just tired of snoring and feeling drained, it’s time to get the support you deserve.
Patients from Farmington, Aztec, Bloomfield, and the nearby areas, trust Dr. Schumacher for sleep-related dental care. Don’t wait to reclaim your sleep and health, contact the best sleep dentist in Farmington by calling (505) 427-2936.