Signs & Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

You may not know this, but your teeth and mouth can have a negative impact on how you sleep! Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that can be affected by the anatomy of your mouth and throat. Today, our team at Springs Village Dentistry wants to take a closer look at sleep apnea and how to identify it.

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder caused by interrupted breathing during sleep. Two types of this disorder include:

• Obstructive Sleep Apnea – where relaxation of the tongue and throat muscles temporarily blocks the airway during sleep
• Central Sleep Apnea – where the brain stops sending signals to breathe during sleep

Left untreated, a person with sleep apnea may stop breathing hundreds of times while they sleep. If this sounds serious, it is: the brain and the rest of the body are not getting enough oxygen.

What Are Symptoms of Sleep Apnea?

Only a doctor can diagnose you with sleep apnea, but there are many common symptoms that folks with sleep apnea experience that you can be on the lookout for:

• Restless sleep
• Morning headaches
• Waking up with a sore throat
• Waking up with a choking sensation
• Sleepiness and fatigue throughout the day
• Forgetfulness & decreased mental function
• Snoring is commonly associated with sleep apnea, but not all people who snore have sleep apnea — and some people with sleep apnea do not snore!

How Is Sleep Apnea Treated?

Treatment will depend on the type of sleep apnea you are experiencing. After getting information on your health history and examining the severity of your condition, our team can help create a customized treatment plan. Treatment options may include an special oral appliance or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).

Consult with Our Team Today!

If you can relate to any of the symptoms listed above, schedule a consultation with us to work toward improving your sleep quality. To ask our team any questions or to schedule your next appointment, contact our office today.

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