The Truths About Sleep Apnea
Do you have trouble getting a good night’s rest? Does your partner complain that you snore too much? Do your snores wake you up? Although snoring may appear harmless, it might indicate more severe health issues. Due to sleep apnea, the body does not receive sufficient oxygen. The disorder manifests in excessive nighttime snoring and, in some cases, a temporary inability to breathe that may wake you up.
Multiple health problems can arise as a result, including a lowered immune system and increased susceptibility to diseases; persistent sleep deprivation, which leads to fatigue and irritation; and an increased risk of long-term conditions, including heart disease.
All About Sleep Apnea
Many sleep apnea patients don’t know they have it, so they don’t benefit from dental remedies or lifestyle changes that can control symptoms. Other than sleep quality, sleep apnea can negatively affect your health, including impaired concentration and memory. This page will provide you with additional information regarding sleep apnea.
1. Children can be affected by sleep apnea.
According to one estimate, the percentage of children thought to suffer from this condition is nowhere near as high as 4 percent. Diagnosing and managing this condition in a child is equally as vital as for an adult. In children, this illness has been connected to other conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bed-wetting, learning difficulties, and childhood obesity.
2. Major health issues arise if this is left untreated.
Snoring and breathing through the mouth are typical symptoms in people who sleep deeply on their backs. The condition is characterized by some symptoms, including but not limited to nasal congestion, high palate, and a tendency for the tongue to slip backward while the patient is sleeping.
This, in turn, enhances the risk of mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety, persistent fatigue, diabetes, heart attack, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and weight gain. The possibility of suffocation should also be considered in the most challenging situations.
3. Sleep apnea has several risk factors.
After the age of 40, your likelihood of developing obstructive sleep apnea increases. Individuals of African-American, Hispanic, and Pacific Islander descent have a higher prevalence of the illness, while heavy smokers and heavy drinkers also have a higher risk.
A small neck, a receded chin, a small jaw, a wide overbite, or an undersized or damaged upper airway (large tongue, tonsils, or uvula) can all increase your risk of developing this illness. Furthermore, being overweight is also a risk.
4. Dentists can evaluate you for sleep apnea.
A dentist with special training can use the latest technology to evaluate an airway. The dentist can determine your airway’s width by constructing 3D images using a cone beam computer tomography (CBCT) machine. The imaging procedure only takes a few minutes and is entirely harmless, painless, and non-invasive.
If the screening findings indicate that you need to see a sleep specialist for a more definitive diagnosis, your dentist will recommend you in the right direction. You can schedule a routine dental check up in Princeton, NJ, during your visit.
5. Dentists offer treatment options for sleep apnea.
Dentists who have completed specialized training in sleep apnea treatment may recommend oral appliance therapy, in which the patient sleeps with a dental appliance designed specifically for them. You can avoid invasive procedures and CPAP use with this approach.
A custom dental appliance will progressively broaden your dental arches and enlarge your oral cavity, transforming your small airway. In the long run, this can help you breathe easier as you sleep and lessen the number of apneic episodes you experience.
