Unless you know you have sleep apnea, the seemingly minor and disconnected things that could point to it might not seem like much to worry about. Sure, you snore a lot, but so do a lot of people. You might feel tired faster every day, but most people might not begin to worry until their fatigue becomes a serious hindrance. If you suffer from sleep apnea, such warning signs could be more important than you realize. Fortunately, we may be able to help you find a comfortable, custom-designed solution for your sleep apnea at our Pella, IA, dental office.
What sleep apnea usually means
Sleep apnea is chronic sleep breathing disorder that involves the cessation of your breathing while you sleep. Obstructive sleep apnea, specifically, involves the obstruction of your airway caused by mouth and/or throat tissues collapsing into it while you sleep. The beginning of this obstruction is the reason why sleep apnea sufferers snore so consistently. It results from increased air pressure in their breathing as the airway becomes tighter, then the snoring will stop when the obstruction is complete and the person can no longer breathe. The mind and body panic, rousing from their rest to clear the airway while you often remain oblivious to the interruption.
What it can do to your quality of life
The repeated instances of breathing cessation that are characteristic of obstructive sleep apnea are the driving cause behind the loud and distinct snoring patterns associated with it. They’re also the cause behind the many different, sometimes disparate symptoms that sleep apnea sufferers often experience. Besides chronically loud snoring, these can also include chronic headaches and migraines, especially when you first wake in the morning. Your throat may be soar from the coarse breathing and snoring all night, and you may feel unable to fully wake up at first at you fight the through the fog of sleep deprivation.
What treating it could mean for you
The good news for many sleep apnea patients is that treating their condition can often be simple and convenient. Instead of the traditional CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine and mask that is often prescribed, you may benefit from a custom-designed sleep appliance that passively keeps your airway open by supporting your lower jaw (mandible) while you sleep. This allows you to rest more comfortably and sleep soundly throughout the night so your brain and body can get the deep, peaceful sleep they need.
Stop worrying and treat your sleep apnea
If you have obstructive sleep apnea, then its potential impact on your health is something to worry about. Fortunately, we may able to help you treat it comfortably with a custom-designed sleep apnea appliance. To learn more, schedule an appointment with us by calling Allen & Neumann Family Dentistry in Pella, IA, today at (641) 628-1121.