Do you wake up breathless in the middle of the night? Maybe people complain about your loud snoring, or you feel tired all day long.
These are symptoms of sleep apnea.
If you have any of these symptoms, you aren’t alone. More than 12 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea. If you’re one of the 12 million, Two Aces Dentistry can help.
Contact us for a consultation.
A Closer Look at Sleep Apnea
Most people have a basic idea of what sleep apnea is, but they don’t really understand it. Because of that, they don’t seek treatment for it. If you have sleep apnea, your breathing stops periodically when you sleep. It can stop as many as 30 times per hour. When you stop breathing, your brain doesn’t receive oxygen. That causes you to wake up so you can start breathing again. You are only awake for a split second, so you probably don’t even realize it. However, you aren’t able to get the type of sleep you need when you wake up frequently throughout the night. That is why you feel drowsy all day long.
Dangers Associated with Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea doesn’t just make you feel tired. It is a severe medical condition that can lead to a variety of problems. If you don’t get your sleep apnea treated, you can end up with high blood pressure. High blood pressure increases your chances of developing heart failure and having a stroke.
Sleep apnea can also cause complications with medication or surgery. If you have to undergo surgery, your anesthesiologist has to take special care when putting you under anesthesia.
It is important that you let your physicians and surgeons know if you have sleep apnea, even if it is being treated.
Signs of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a dangerous condition, so if you have any symptoms, you should contact our practice immediately. Contact us if you experience:
- Insomnia or difficulty sleeping
- Loud snoring
- Waking up at night short of breath
- Snorting or choking sounds at night
- Headaches when you wake up
- Falling asleep unintentionally during the day
- Extreme drowsiness
Types of Sleep Apnea
There are three categories of sleep apnea, and Two Aces Dentistry can help with all three. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common. It occurs due to a physical blockage. The obstruction is typically caused by the collapse of the soft tissue in the back of the throat. Central sleep apnea is a less common type. It occurs when the muscles involved don’t receive the proper signal from the brain. The final category is mixed or complex sleep apnea which is a combination of the first two categories.
If you have any of these types of sleep apnea, contact us today.
Risk Factors for Sleep Apnea
While anyone can suffer from sleep apnea, there are certain risk factors to consider. Males are more likely to suffer from obstructive sleep apnea than females are. People who are 40 or older are more likely to have obstructive sleep apnea.
People with heart disorders, strokes, brain tumors, or neuromuscular disorders are at risk for central sleep apnea.
You will put yourself at risk for sleep apnea if you:
- Are overweight
- Smoke
- Drink alcohol
- Use sedatives or tranquilizers
- Have a family history
Treatment for Sleep Apnea
There are several treatment options available for sleep apnea. Behavioral treatments are the most basic. You will be instructed to lose weight, stop smoking, or sleep on your side. Next, our dentists can fit you with an oral device that will position your mouth to prevent the throat blockage. In many cases, that is all that is needed to treat sleep apnea. However, if you have a severe case, you might need surgery.
What Should I Do If I Think I Have Sleep Apnea?
If you suspect that you or a family member suffers from sleep apnea, contact Two Aces Dentistry today. We will refer to you a sleep apnea specialist. Then, if you need an oral device, the specialist will refer you back to us, and we will customize it for you.
