While snoring isn’t necessarily a problem if it isn’t waking anyone up, it may be a sign of a serious condition called sleep apnea in some cases. This frustrating health issue is characterized by the airway becoming constricted during sleep, and it can cause a person to wake up more than a hundred times in a single night if it is especially severe. Here’s a quick overview of how this problem can affect your health, how it can make you seem to age more quickly, and how your dentist can help.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is typically the result of the muscle and fat tissues in a patient’s neck weighing heavily upon the windpipe as they relax during slumber, and this can cut off the individual’s air supply and cause them to awaken suddenly and out of breath. This is quite a stressful way to wake up, and it can deprive a person of the sleep they need to function properly if it happens frequently. Sleep apnea can lead to issues such as:
- Grogginess
- Depression
- Irritability
- Overeating
- Lethargy
- Excessive reliance on stimulants such as caffeine or nicotine
- Falling asleep while operating heavy machines such as cars, which can lead to serious injuries and property damage
How Can Sleep Apnea Age Me Faster?
Living with sleep apnea is stressful for the body and can put significant wear and tear on your nervous and circulatory systems. When the sleeping brain realizes it isn’t receiving enough oxygen, it will send a distress signal to the rest of the body that will jolt the person awake so they can adjust their position and resume breathing normally. This results in frequent and rapid increases of the person’s heart rate, and this strain may make a person more likely to experience cardiovascular events that are often associated with older individuals such as heart attack and stroke.
Sleep apnea can also lead to fatigue, depression, and lethargy, which can diminish a person’s youthful vigor and make it harder to be alert and enthusiastic during the day. Lack of sleep is also associated with overeating, which can lead to weight gain that places additional strain on the heart and worsens the risk of many overall health issues.
How Can My Dentist Help?
Luckily, many dentists offer effective sleep apnea treatments that can make it easier to get enough rest. These include:
- CPAP therapy: CPAP machines feed the patient pressurized air through a mask to keep their windpipe open during sleep.
- Oral appliance therapy: These devices are designed to hold the lower jaw in a forward position to keep the airway open while the patient sleeps.
Don’t let sleep apnea make it harder to enjoy life. Consulting with your dentist can help you find the best way to get excellent rest.
About the Practice
Next Door Dental offers the finest oral healthcare in Greensboro. Led by Drs. Thomas Bagley and Raul Garcia, the staff treats each patient with courtesy, respect, and exemplary customer service. Areas of expertise include general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as sleep apnea services. If you are concerned about sleep apnea, contact the practice on the web or dial (336) 854-5850.