Have you been waking up your partner, or yourself, in the middle of the night with your loud and relentless snoring? Before you write it off as simple annoyance, consider how your snoring might be a sign of something more serious.
What is sleep apnea?
According to Mayo Clinic, there are 200,000 new cases of sleep apnea in the United States each year. With this common sleep disorder, your airway periodically becomes either partially or entirely obstructed during sleep, which halts your breathing. Obstructive sleep apnea, the most common form of sleep apnea, can affect anyone, but certain factors such as obesity, age, tonsil size, family history, and a deviated septum can increase your risk.
Is sleep apnea dangerous?
Sleep apnea is considered a serious condition, and can be dangerous if not treated properly. Complications from sleep apnea can include fatigue, stroke, high blood pressure, heart problems, and more.
Is snoring a warning sign of sleep apnea?
Loud, chronic snoring is one of the chief signs of sleep apnea. However, not everyone who snores at night has sleep apnea. In addition to loud snoring, has your partner reported you frequently stop breathing while sleeping? These pauses in breathing may cause sufferers to wake up gasping with shortness of breath. Moreover, evaluate whether you notice any other indicators of sleep apnea, such as a dry mouth or sore throat upon awakening, overwhelming daytime sleepiness and fatigue, irritability, a diminished ability to concentrate, and/or headaches.
Are You Concerned you may have sleep apnea?
If you’re experiencing loud and constant snoring accompanied by other sleep apnea signs and symptoms, schedule an appointment with our expert team at Springs Village Dentistry as soon as possible. We can help determine whether you have obstructive sleep apnea and can recommend proper treatment, such as a special oral appliance or CPAP machine, to improve your sleep quality!
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