Dangers Of Sleep Apnea
Do you find yourself irritable and tired during the day even though you feel like you had a good night’s sleep? Or has a loved one told you that you snore horribly each night? If you answered yes to these questions, there is a good chance that you are dealing with the effects of a common sleep issue. You may be surprised to learn that, in addition to dealing with your dental health, we can also treat patients who are dealing with sleep apnea, a condition that affects about 25 million Americans.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a serious condition in which individuals stop breathing multiple times throughout the night. It occurs when the muscles in the back of the throat relax during sleep, blocking the airway and restricting your breathing. Sleep apnea often goes undetected because adults don’t know who to contact and don’t realize they are experiencing symptoms. Symptoms of sleep apnea include:
- Snoring
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Waking during the night feeling like you are choking
- Morning headaches
- Restlessness during sleep and difficulty falling asleep
- Irritability and difficulty focusing
Importance of Receiving Treatment
Getting good, quality sleep is important to help reset your body and mind for the next day. When you are not sleeping well, it can cause your reaction time to be slower, increasing your chances of an accident. Sleep apnea can also lead to serious health complications such as:
- Depression and anxiety
- Heart attacks and heart disease
- Hypertension and stroke
We can treat patients who suffer from sleep apnea with a simple oral appliance that fits over the teeth and adjusts your lower jaw forward when you sleep. This simple solution has changed the lives of many patients.
If you feel you or a loved one may be suffering from sleep apnea, we recommend calling our office located in Houston, TX to schedule an appointment. Untreated sleep apnea can be dangerous for your overall health, so we suggest being proactive with your care. We look forward to seeing you soon!
