Lack of sleep? Have you been losing focus at work? Are you feeling tired and sleepy in the morning? These may be symptoms of sleep apnea! Not familiar about the disorder? We at McMillan Family Dental got it covered. We prepared a list of facts about sleep apnea for all our patients to understand the condition and the possible danger associated with it.
Must-Know Facts About Sleep Apnea
There are two types of said disorder
Sleep apnea is characterized by breathing pauses during sleep, but it can occur multiple times an hour, every night.
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is due to the collapse of the tongue, tonsils, and other soft-tissues at the back of the throat which blocks the airways.
- Central Sleep Apnea (CSA) occurs due to the negligence of the brain on sending the proper signal needed by the muscles that control breathing.
Pauses in breathing make it hard for a person to sleep
Believe it or not, the episodes of sleep apnea can occur more than 100 times a night! As a result, deep sleep is very hard to achieve. Due to this, the patient is less likely to get enough rest needed by the body to function properly in the morning.
Obesity: A major risk factor
The risk of an overweight person having OSA is higher compared to those with normal weight. It is due to the extra tissues they have around their mouth or throat area that contributes to the blockage of the airways. Some experts that believe that losing weight can help in easing the factors that cause sleep apnea episodes.
Sleep Apnea can be life-threatening
Unfortunately, untreated sleep apnea can lead to various health problems like diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The condition can lead to weight gain which can potentially cause a heart attack. A person with the disorder is also more likely to have metabolic syndrome which can lead to multiple health risk factors.
The sleep disorder is often undiagnosed
Most people who think that they can almost sleep anywhere find it a good thing, unfortunately, this indicates that there is a problem with their sleep. Since the episodes occur when a patient is unconscious, they can continue to suffer from sleep apnea without getting appropriate treatments. That is why it is essential to seek immediate assistance if a family member or a bed partner mentions loud snoring accompanied by gasping or choking sounds.
At McMillan Family Dental, we can help our patients who experience sleep apnea get the sleep they deserve by providing oral devices that are worn over their teeth. The appliance pushes the lower jaw forward for the patient to sleep peacefully without any sleep apnea episodes and even snoring!
If you’re suffering from a disorder that causes breathing pauses, seek professional attention! Book your appointment immediately at McMillan Family Dental for Sleep Apnea Treatment in Meridian, ID. You can visit us at 1720 W. McMillan Road, Meridian, ID 83646.