Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that is believed to affect 18 million Americans. It causes you to stop breathing numerous times per night due to an obstruction in the airway. These pauses can occur hundreds of times per night, with each event potentially lasting longer than a minute. The immediate symptoms of the disorder often include chronic snoring, poor sleep quality, and day time fatigue; however, the long-term complications are far more severe. To protect your health, you need a dentist for treatment. Where is a dentist near me for sleep apnea? Mick Family Dental Group has the information you need.
Complications from Sleep Apnea
The early symptoms and complications from sleep apnea often do not appear severe so many delay care. Often, early indications of the disorder include loud chronic snoring, waking frequently at night, and daytime fatigue. It is not uncommon to wake with morning time headaches or for mood changes to occur.
Over time the lack of sleep quality will lead to sleep deprivation. Once this sets in, cognitive abilities decline, while depression and irritability occur. This increases the risk for workplace and auto accidents while significantly decreasing quality of life.
In addition to poor sleep quality, the lack of oxygen causes complications throughout the body when left untreated. Inadequate oxygen levels place a strain on the heart. This leads to cardiovascular disease, increasing your risk for heart attack and stroke.
In addition, those with untreated sleep apnea are more prone to developing Type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Liver problems are also likely to develop, as well as complications with medications and surgery.
Obesity is also linked to the sleep disorder. Not only are those with obesity more prone to develop sleep apnea, but those with the disorder are also more likely to be obese. Lack of sleep causes hormonal imbalances in the brain, which regulate appetite. When the hormone levels are unbalanced, it can cause excessive eating.
Treating Sleep Apnea
If you suspect you have sleep apnea, you will need a sleep study to monitor you while you sleep. After analyzing the results, you will then see your dentist in Reynoldsburg. A custom-made oral appliance is used as the most preferred and effective treatment. The appliance is similar to a mouthguard. However, instead of protecting the teeth, it repositions the jaw forward. By moving the jaw forward, the airways are kept open, preventing pauses in breathing.
In some cases, an oral appliance may not be effective. If this is the case, you will need a CPAP machine. A CPAP delivers a light stream of air through a mask that is worn over the mouth or nose while sleeping. The air pressure keeps their airways open to maintain adequate oxygen levels.
Protect Your Health with Sleep Apnea Treatment
Although the symptoms of the condition may not appear severe at first, the long-term complications of the disorder can be potentially deadly. If you have sleep apnea or suspect the disorder, you need treatment immediately to protect your health.