Does your snoring affect the sleep habits of your entire household? Chronic snoring can be a symptom of sleep apnea, a sleeping disorder that occurs when a person stops breathing for short periods of time during the night.
How Does Sleep Apnea Affect Me?
Sleep apnea can become a serious condition if not treated by a trained medical professional. The lack of sufficient oxygen during the night and the continuously interrupted REM sleep cycles can contribute to other, more serious health problems. If you have sleep apnea, your symptoms may include:
- Loud or chronic snoring.
- Headaches that are often worse in the morning.
- Dry mouth and sore throat.
- Memory loss.
- Difficulty when trying to focus or learn.
- Excessive fatigue and sleepiness during the day.
- Increase in depression and mood swings.
Sleep apnea can make everyday living a chore. You may find that you’re not as productive at work, that your social life is suffering, or that your self-confidence is slipping. You don’t want to be exhausted when you drive, especially if you need to get behind the wheel every day.
Surprisingly, sleep apnea can also lead to more serious medical conditions. Many people with sleep apnea suffer from high blood pressure. They are more susceptible to heart attack, stroke, obesity, and diabetes. If you think you might have sleep apnea, visiting a qualified physician is important for your overall health.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when your physical anatomy causes a blocked or obstructed airway when you sleep. Your sleep apnea may come from the structure of your sinuses. It could also occur if your tongue falls too far back in your throat while you sleep.
For an alternative to CPAP machine treatment, consider a dental appliance from our office in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Sleep Apnea Treatment
Dr. Ron Wilkins can perform an exam for any patient who suspects they might be suffering from sleep apnea. After a diagnosis and consultation, our office can provide dental appliances to help our patients breathe and sleep easier.
The appliances look similar to a mouthguard, and they are worn during sleep. Each appliance is custom-designed just for you. The device moves the bottom jaw forward to create space in your airway, so you can sleep through the night.
Dental devices can provide an alternative to the CPAP machine, which is often prescribed to treat sleep apnea. Many of our patients prefer the dental device to CPAP machines because dental devices do not come with wires, tubes, and noise.
Call Us Today
For our patients who suffer from sleep apnea and would like to get their energy back, call us today to see how a dental appliance can help you! Our team at Wilkins General and Restorative Dentistry can help you get back to your normal, busy life with a good night’s sleep.