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What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a relatively common sleep disorder which is characterized by one or more pauses in breathing during your sleep. While there are several different forms of sleep apnea, the most common is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). It occurs when your throat muscles and tongue relax at night and leads to your airway becoming obstructed, triggering an apnea event.
It’s very likely for patients to go quite a while without noticing their sleep apnea. Oftentimes, their bed partner is the first to bring it to their attention. Dr. Bell and his Hallam dental team can help you discover the root to your fatigue and sleepless nights and help treat your condition with dental oral appliances.
Factors Related to Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea can be caused by several different factors, but the condition can be simply alleviated through simple lifestyle changes. While sleep apnea is most prevalent in older adults and men, it can still affect anyone based on certain aspects of their daily routine, regardless of age or gender.
Common influences on sleep apnea episodes may include:
- Smoking
- Drinking alcohol
- Being overweight
- Some prescription medications
- Enlarged tonsils
- Large neck circumference
Common Signs & Symptoms
Patients typically report that the first symptom to get noticed is almost always snoring. While snoring in and of itself is not necessarily harmful, it is the most common symptom of OSA. The more severe sleep apnea becomes, the louder and more prevalent snoring tends to be.
There are many other symptoms associated with sleep apnea as well. While some may be more apparent than others, they all serve as important warning signs that a sleep test is in order. Common symptoms include insomnia, daytime fatigue, irritability, mood swings, dry mouth or throat, and depression.
Sleep Apnea and Your Well-Being
Sleep apnea can have a major impact on your overall health and well-being. Patients with sleep apnea needlessly suffer from poor quality sleep that doesn’t give them the energy they need to live life to the fullest. Regular drops in blood oxygen levels and poor sleep quality can trigger your body to release stress hormones. These hormones can raise your heart rate and blood pressure which then increase your risk for heart attack, stroke, and other heart issues.
These effects of untreated sleep apnea are a risk you shouldn’t be willing to take. Imagine waking up feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day. Find an appropriate and effective treatment option with us at York Dental Sleep Therapy.
How Can York Dental Sleep Therapy Help You?
Although being the most popular solution to sleep apnea, many patients find the traditional CPAP to be chunky, uncomfortable, and hard to wear throughout the night. The great news is that Dr. Bell offers a wide variety of CPAP alternatives to restore your rest and rejuvenate your daily supply of energy.
If you have questions about the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatments for sleep apnea, schedule a visit at our Hallam office. Dr. Bell and our entire team are here to help you receive the treatment you need so you can regain your energy.
