Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that should always be taken seriously. It involves the brief but frequent pauses in breathing while a person sleeps. These breathing cessations may happen hundreds of times per night, which not only disrupts your quality of sleep but can wreak havoc on your overall health and quality of life.

The most common type of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This is caused by a blockage in the airway, typically from a collapse of soft tissues in the back of the throat. Patients who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea are not getting enough oxygen to their brain and body while they sleep.

How do you know if you have sleep apnea? In most cases, it is accompanied by snoring, so your partner may identify it first. You may also feel tired during the day or suffer from high blood pressure. Common risk factors for sleep apnea include males over age 40, those who are overweight, those who have a large neck size, large tongue or large tonsils as well as those that suffer from GERD or nasal obstruction. A family history of sleep apnea should also be noted.

You and your partner’s quality of sleep is only the tip of the iceberg as far as consequences of your sleep apnea. There are far more serious complications that can occur if your sleep disorder is not properly treated. Potential health problems from sleep apnea include:

• High blood pressure
• Stroke
• Heart failure, irregular heartbeats, and heart attacks
• Diabetes
• Depression
• Worsening of ADHD
• Headaches

How do you treat sleep apnea? There are a few different options available and a qualified medical professional should guide you in your specific treatment plan. However, many sleep apnea sufferers choose to see their dentist for sleep apnea management. Dr. Thompson of Soft Touch Dentistry proudly treats sleep apnea and snoring with the most proven nighttime dental appliances. These custom sleep apnea appliances are titrated by the patient to provide maximum medical improvement over a four to six month period. They work to prevent sleep apnea episodes, improve your quality of sleep and ultimately protect your health.

Posted on behalf of Dr. Sarah Thompson, Soft Touch Dentistry
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