Are You Getting Enough Zzzzzzz’s?
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a very common and potentially life-threatening medical disorder that causes your body to stop breathing during sleep. Sleep apnea occurs when the airway becomes blocked, reducing the amount of oxygen delivered to your organs including the heart and brain. People with sleep apnea may snore loudly and the interruption of breathing can happen hundreds of times per night. It is estimated that more than 18 million Americans have sleep apnea.
In addition to snoring and excessive daytime sleepiness, sleep apnea can cause memory loss, morning headaches, irritability, depression and impaired concentration. When left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to hypertension, stroke, heart attack and sudden death while asleep.
Recognizing the signs of sleep apnea is the first step in treating this condition. Some of the more common signs include:
- Unintentionally falling asleep during the day
- General daytime sleepiness
- Unrefreshed sleep
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Waking from sleep with a choking sound or gasping for breath
- Loud snoring
Dentists and sleep physicians are partnering together to recognize, diagnose and provide treatment to help respond to the health risks and negative impact of untreated sleep apnea. Through the use of oral appliance therapy, dentists are able to help minimize or eliminate the symptoms of sleep apnea in mild to moderate cases. If you or someone you know has been exhibiting signs caused by sleep apnea, it may be time to contact your physician for further sleep testing and to see what treatment options are best for you.
Information provided by the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine
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