There’s a condition that affects some 22 million Americans — and 80 percent of those people don’t ever identify their problem. It’s sleep apnea, and it’s a serious condition that prevents us from getting a full night’s uninterrupted sleep. The side effects go beyond daytime drowsiness — in fact, sufferers from sleep apnea are far likelier to develop a serious heart condition, like stroke or heart disease. Read on to see if you’re suffering from the symptoms of sleep apnea, and if you are, don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Smith for sleep apnea treatment in Irving. We want to help you rest easy.
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea means there’s a period of time during sleep when the sufferer stops breathing — sometimes for as much as 10 seconds or longer. When that happens, the brain sends out an urgent signal to wake up in order to resume breathing — and the sufferer jerks awake, often noisily. Other symptoms of sleep apnea include:
- Daytime fatigue and drowsiness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Waking in the morning with a dry or sore throat
- Moodiness
- Snoring
Snoring and Sleep Apnea
While snoring is often related to sleep apnea, not all snorers suffer from sleep apnea. It’s important to know the difference between simple snoring and apnea-related snoring in order to correctly treat both.
Snoring happens when the tissues in your throat relax enough to block airflow through the airway, causing them to vibrate. Alcohol consumption, weight and age can all increase the strength and sound of the vibration — causing a louder snore.
But if you or your partner have loud, frequent snoring that is also accompanied by pauses in breath or chokes and gasps during sleep — along with daytime fatigue and the rest of the symptoms of sleep apnea listed above — don’t hesitate to consult your doctor to find out if a sleep study is necessary. It could be the first step to diagnosing and treating your sleep apnea.
Sleep Apnea Treatment
To treat your disordered sleeping, Dr. Smith at 21st Century Dental and Sleep Center will decide whether CPAP or a custom-fit oral device is right for you.
- CPAP: This method uses Continuous Positive Airway Pressure to keep your airway open while you sleep. It’s a machine that features a blower connected by a tube to a mask that fits over your nose to continuously blow air through your airway, keeping it free from obstruction the whole night through.
- Custom-fit oral device: The most popular choice in sleep apnea treatment, a custom-fit oral device is smaller than CPAP — you can think of it as the type of mouthguards athletes wear. It’s removable so you only wear it at night, and it works by holding your tongue and lower jaw in place throughout the night, so you can breathe easy.
Schedule Your Appointment Today
If sleep apnea is disrupting your life, don’t wait to call Dr. Smith for sleep apnea treatment in the 75038 area. We’ll help you rest easier — we promise.