There’s nothing better than waking up after a good night’s sleep, refreshed and ready for the day ahead. But when something interrupts your eight hours, you trudge through the day, irritable and overwhelmed by the simplest tasks. Over time, poor sleep can actually be deadly — did you know that sleepy adults are likelier to have fatal car crashes? Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that happens when breathing is interrupted during sleep, and unfortunately, it’s a condition that frequently goes undiagnosed. Learn more about the sleep apnea, its risks and treatment in Silver Lake today. Because knowledge is the first step to seeking a solution.
Sleep Apnea: Causes, Risks and Treatment
Sleep apnea occurs when you’re super-relaxed during sleep — so relaxed that parts of your mouth, like the tongue and lower jaw, collapse and block your airway. This blockage can cause pauses in breathing of ten seconds or more. Sufferers then wake up with panicked gasp and choking sensation, making sleep apnea disruptive for the sufferer as well as the spouse or loved one nearby.
Risk Factors for Sleep Apnea
There are some factors that may increase the occurrence of sleep apnea. They include:
- Being male
- Being overweight with a large neck size
- Over age 40
- Having large tonsils, a large tongue or a small jawbone
- Family history of sleep apnea
- Having nasal or sinus problems like a deviated septum or allergies
Effects of Sleep Apnea
When sleep apnea occurs, side effects can range from mild fatigue in the beginning to serious, sometimes fatal effects when left untreated.
- Loud, chronic snoring
- Extreme fatigue
- High blood pressure
- Stroke and heart failure
- Depression
- Headaches
Because the symptoms of this condition (fatigue, difficulty concentrating) are similar to those of other conditions like depression, sleep apnea often goes un- or misdiagnosed. Know the warning signs and get closer to a potentially life-saving treatment.
Treatment of Sleep Apnea in Silver Lake, KS
Past treatment of sleep apnea used a bulky machine and face mask, a combination we call CPAP. Many patients find this an unrealistic, uncomfortable solution to the condition. If you’ve recently been diagnosed with sleep apnea or if you’ve already tried CPAP and it hasn’t worked for you, you’ll be relieved to know the team at Michel Dental prefers to treat the condition with a comfortable, removable oral appliance.
The appliance looks a bit like the sort of mouthguard you see athletes wear, and it’s custom-fit for your unique mouth. You wear it only when you sleep, and it works by holding your lower jaw and tongue in place. With a removable oral appliance, previous sleep apnea sufferers are able to achieve a good night’s sleep again — and that’s always a welcome relief.
Schedule Your Sleep Apnea Consultation Today
If you suspect that you or a loved one are suffering from sleep apnea, don’t wait to seek treatment from Michel Dental, the trusted dental team in Silver Lake and Topeka. Call us today to schedule your appointment — we know you’ll be so glad you did.