Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder marked by interruptions and pauses in breathing during sleep. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is caused by obstructions in the airway, such as the tongue rolling back in the throat or collapsed tissues in the airway. Untreated sleep apnea can contribute to several serious health conditions, including heart disease, high blood pressure and liver problems.
Three surprising facts about snoring and sleep:
- Snoring is not normal, and has been linked to an increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Some studies show that snoring is 90% predictive of OSA, but you can still have OSA without snoring.
- Mayo Clinic research recently showed that 91% of patients who failed drug therapy for insomnia were found to have OSA.
- Untreated OSA is linked to the development of cancer, heart attack, stroke, diabetes, depression and obesity.
Sleep apnea must be diagnosed by a physician. Luckily, we offer our own sleep tests conducted by Dr. Rama for your convenience. We recommend that you talk to our dentists, as well as your physician, if you suffer from the symptoms of sleep apnea. Common signs of sleep apnea include:
- Insomnia
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- High blood pressure
- Dry mouth upon awakening
- Snoring
- Jaw clenching, grinding
- Morning headaches
- Overweight/obesity
- Irritability
- Change in personality
- Depression
- Difficulty concentrating
- Sweating during sleep
- Heartburn
- Urinating at nighttime
- Restless sleep
- Snorting, gasping or choking
- Rapid weight gain
- Confusion upon waking
- Erectile dysfunction
- Reduced libido
- Diabetes
Sleep apnea treatment may depend on the severity of the condition. If you suffer from mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, Dr. Brittany Gooding may recommend an oral appliance. The appliance works to treat obstructive sleep apnea by fitting over your teeth and keeping your airway open while you sleep. It can work by preventing the tongue from blocking the air passage or by holding your jaw in a position that prevents airway blockages during sleep. For more information on sleep apnea treatment in Clinton, Indiana, we welcome you to call 765-832-7741 or visit Crown Hill Dentistry today. We are committed to helping you improve your health!