Exploring the Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment of Sleep Apnea

Sleep is a crucial component of a happy, healthy life. One Connecticut hospital recently took steps to reduce noise and improve sleep for patients — they know proper healing relies on it. But what about your own snoozing habits? If you’re one of the 18 million Americans suffering from sleep apnea, you’re probably suffering from headaches, chronic snoring, and irritability. If so, it’s time to get some answers — and a solution. The team at Dental Expressions provides sleep apnea therapy in Freedom, WI.

How to Recognize Sleep Apnea

If you wake up groggy and confused, even after what you think was a full night’s sleep, you’ve probably got a sleep breathing disorder. The most common form of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). It occurs when the lower jaw and tongue collapse into the airway during sleep, partially or completely blocking the flow of oxygen to the brain. Without the air it needs, the brain sends emergency signals to wake the body up. Sufferers of OSA may have their sleep interrupted hundreds of times per night.

The signs you are suffering from sleep apnea include:

• Chronic snoring that’s loud enough to wake a sleeping partner
• Fatigue and exhaustion throughout the day
• Fitful sleep or waking with a jerk throughout the night, often noticed by a partner
• Difficulty completing everyday tasks
• Depression or anxiety due to lost sleep
• Dry mouth or sore throat upon waking

Do not wait to seek a solution for your disrupted sleep. Left untreated, sleep apnea has been linked to a host of serious health issues, including heart attack, high blood pressure, even premature death.

Risk Factors For and What Causes Sleep Apnea

OSA can affect anyone, but certain risk factors increase your risk. These risk factors for sleep apnea include being overweight or obese, as the majority of people who carry extra weight suffer from the symptoms of OSA. A large neck circumference results reduces the free flow of air throughout the night. Men are more likely to suffer from sleep apnea than women. Age also plays a factor, with most sufferers being older than 55. But with rising levels of childhood obesity in the United States, the incidence of OSA in children is increasing, too.

Sleep Apnea Treatment in Freedom WI

If you suspect you are dealing with the exhausting side effects of sleep apnea, visit your medical doctor to seek a diagnosis. He or she will refer you to a clinic for a sleep test. If the results reveal apneic sleeping, that’s actually great news… it means a solution is within reach!

Dental Expressions provides relief from sleep apnea with an intraoral appliance. This small device is created just for you, and it works by holding your tongue and lower jaw in place during sleep. Because when everything is in its proper place, you can receive the eight hours you deserve — every single night.

Please don’t wait to get in touch with the Drs. Heil to discuss sleep apnea treatment. Request an appointment today!