Snoring is often a harmless if noisy habit that isn’t a sign of overall health issues, but it may be a symptom of a serious condition called sleep apnea. This illness can cause a sleeper to awaken more than a hundred times in a single night in extreme cases, and this can take a significant toll on their physical and mental health. Here’s a quick look at what sleep apnea is and how it can burden the cardiovascular system.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is characterized by the patient’s airway becoming restricted during sleep due to the pressure the muscle and fat tissues in the throat put on the windpipe as they relax. Shortly after this happens, the brain will realize it isn’t getting enough oxygen and send a distress signal to the rest of the body, causing the sleeper to awaken suddenly and out of breath. Risk factors for sleep apnea include lack of exercise, poor diet, being overweight, tobacco use, and excessive drinking.
What Problems Can Sleep Apnea Cause?
Waking up frequently in this manner can put significant strain on the cardiovascular and nervous systems and lead to a host of unpleasant symptoms like:
- Grogginess
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Depression
- Overeating
- Dependence on stimulants like nicotine or caffeine
- Falling asleep while driving or operating heavy machines
Many of these symptoms can inhibit a patient’s ability to eat right and exercise properly, which can lead to weight gain that can make sleep apnea worse and put additional strain on the heart. Sleep apnea is also a risk factor for cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes.
How Can My Dentist Help?
In addition to providing at-home and in-office testing for sleep apnea, many dentists offer effective treatments like:
- CPAP machines: These devices use pressurized air to keep the airway open, and they require patients to wear masks attached to hoses while they sleep.
- Oral appliance therapy: Your dentist will provide you with a customized device designed to be worn over the teeth during sleep. It will hold the jaw in a forward position to help the airway stay open.
Don’t let sleep apnea diminish your overall health and leave you too tired to enjoy your days. Consulting with your dentist can help you understand how to get better rest.
About the Practice
Next Door Dental offers the finest oral health services in Greensboro. Led by Drs. Thomas Bagley and Raul Garcia, the staff treats each patient with compassion and courtesy while maintaining a comforting and welcoming office environment. Areas of expertise include general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as sleep apnea services. To learn more about how sleep apnea can be treated, contact the office online or dial (336) 854-5850.