How Your Dentist Can Help Your Snoring Problems
Snoring is quite common. However, snoring may be a sign that you are suffering from a bigger problem: sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder, which occurs when you stop breathing, sometimes numerous times per night, when you are sleeping.
Common Signs of Sleep Apnea
The symptoms of sleep apnea can easily be mistaken for other problems or may be dismissed as minor irritations. Some of the common signs of sleep apnea include:
- Loud snoring
- Daytime sleepiness
- Not feeling well rested after a full night's sleep
- Sore and/or dry throat upon waking
- Being awaken by choking or gasping sensation
- Headaches in the morning
- Mood changes
- Forgetfulness
- Insomnia
Possible Effects of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea and its symptoms are not only annoying, but they can be detrimental to your health. Untreated sleep apnea can lead to the following health issues:
- Heart problems, including heart failure, heart attacks, and irregular heart beats
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Stroke
- Poor performance in work and school
Causes of Sleep Apnea
There are numerous factors that can cause obstructive sleep apnea. Some of the causes of sleep apnea include:
- Obesity
- Deviated septum
- Receding chin
- Oversized tonsils, tongue, or adenoids
- Use of alcohol or sedatives causing throat muscles to become too relaxed during sleep
- Chronic nasal congestion
Getting Treatment for Sleep Apnea
The treatment of sleep apnea is typically determined by the cause. For example, obesity-caused sleep apnea should improve if you lose substantial weight. In other cases, your dentist can prescribe an oral device (like a mouth guard) to correct anatomical issues. In other cases, the patient may be required to use a nasal CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine or may require surgery.
To find out the best treatment for your sleep apnea and snoring problems, speak with a dentist skilled in sleep apnea treatment.