Sleep Apnea Sleep apnea is a common disorder that may cause your breathing to stop or get very shallow while you sleep. With sleep apnea, your breathing uncontrollably stops and starts and it can be dangerous to your health. At Dental Expressions, our team is familiar with the oral symptoms of patients who suffer from sleep apnea. Your visit may potentially lead to a diagnosis and a recommendation for treatment.Types Of Sleep ApneaConceding that you have sleep apnea you may have one of these three kinds: obstructive, central, and complex sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common and this kind of sleep apnea may occur when your throat muscles relax and prevent airflow while you sleep. Central sleep apnea happens in your brain and may occur when your brain does not send the right signals to your muscles that control your breathing while you sleep. Complex sleep apnea is a combination of obstructive and central sleep apnea. You May Have Sleep Apnea If You Stop Breathing During Your SleepGiven that you have sleep apnea, you may have a variety of overlapping symptoms. It is important to consult with your dentist if you think you may have sleep apnea. If there is another person who can observe your sleep and notice you gasping for air in your sleep, you may have sleep apnea. Once they notice an episode in which you stop breathing during your sleep, then it is more than likely that you suffer from sleep apnea. However, you should come in for a visit so you can have an official diagnosis and receive the right treatment. You may have sleep apnea if you snore loudly and wake up feeling tired. If you snore loudly, it could be an indication of a potentially serious problem, however not everyone who snores has sleep apnea. You may also wake up with a dry mouth and a headache. In the case that you experience insomnia or hypersomnia, it may be an effect of sleep apnea. Insomnia means that you may have difficulty falling asleep at night, while hypersomnia means that you may feel excessively sleepy during the day. Suffering from sleep apnea may even cause irritability and difficulty paying attention while you are awake. Sleep Apnea Can Cause Other Health IssuesIf you have sleep apnea you may have complications related to, and caused by, sleep apnea that includes fatigue, heart problems, and even diabetes. Sleep apnea may make normal restorative sleep impossible and may cause severe daytime drowsiness, fatigue, and irritability. Sleep apnea may also stress your cardiovascular system causing sudden drops in blood oxygen levels and increasing your blood pressure. Once you have been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea it may also increase your risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack, stroke, and an abnormal heartbeat. Let Us Help You Sleep SoundlyWhen you visit our experienced team at Dental Expressions you will receive an expert diagnosis and an individualized care plan. Whether you have a mild case of sleep apnea or a complex case, our dentist may recommend some lifestyle changes to help manage your symptoms. We may recommend losing weight or quitting smoking to help your sleep apnea. Provided that this is not enough, we may recommend oral appliances that can open your airway. A CPAP machine will help by providing you with air through a mask while you sleep to help reduce the symptoms of sleep apnea. If you would like to know what treatment will improve your quality of sleep consult us now by calling (971) 353-4448. |
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