National Sleep Awareness Week is nearly here. As much as we all look forward to a night of restful slumber, it can be difficult to get quality sleep when you are dealing with a sleep disorder – like sleep apnea. This condition is very common, as it affects 50-70 million Americans. Continue reading to learn about some of the most common symptoms of sleep apnea and different ways it can be treated.
Common Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea can cause you to experience a wide variety of symptoms. Here are just some of the most common ones that sufferers struggle with:
- Snoring
- Dry mouth
- Gasping for air while sleeping
- Insomnia / difficulty sleeping
- Frequent irritability
- Hypersomnia throughout the day
- Episodes where breathing stops during sleep
- Headache upon waking up in the morning
- Difficulty paying attention
What Are the Causes of Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the muscles in the back of your throat relax, causing your airway to narrow. This makes it harder to breathe, resulting in lower levels of oxygen in your blood. Here are some of the most common factors that can increase your risk of sleep apnea:
- Obesity: If you are carrying a lot of excess weight, this increases your risk of sleep apnea drastically. This is because fat deposits around your upper airway can obstruct your breathing.
- Narrow Airway: People who have a more narrow throat as a result of genetics are more likely to encounter obstructions.
- Males: Men are two to three times more likely to develop sleep apnea than women are.
- Family History: If you have family members with this condition, you are likely at higher risk for it yourself.
- Smoking: Smoking can increase the amount of inflammation and fluid retention in the upper airway.
- Drinking Alcohol: Alcohol, sedatives, and tranquilizers relax the muscles of the throat and can worsen sleep apnea.
- Some Medical Conditions: Medical problems like Parkinson’s disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and congestive heart failure can all contribute to sleep apnea.
How Is Sleep Apnea Treated?
These are some of the popular ways that sleep apnea can be treated:
- Lifestyle Changes: If a patient only has mild sleep apnea, it can sometimes be treated with lifestyle changes. Losing weight, abstaining from alcohol and tobacco, and sleeping in alternative positions can be effective.
- Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP): This treatment involves the patient wearing a mask over their nose while they sleep. The mask is hooked up to a machine that delivers a constant flow of air into the nose. This helps to keep the airways open so breathing is made easier. However, many people find it difficult to tolerate using the machine while sleeping.
- Oral Appliances: Patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea who are unable to tolerate or get relief from CPAP may find an oral appliance effective. They are constructed by a dentist and worn in the mouth at night. They support the jaw in a forward position in order to maintain an open airway.
If you’re struggling with sleep apnea, seek help from your dentist for National Sleep Awareness Week. You deserve to get quality rest at night.
About the Author
Dr. Zelia Cannon is an experienced dentist who has been working the field for over 30 years. She earned her dental doctorate from New York University College of Dentistry and regularly pursues continuing education to keep her knowledge and skills sharp. Over the years, she has studied specialty topics, like cosmetic dentistry, Invisalign, BOTOX and dermal fillers, laser dentistry, dental implant restorations, occlusal equilibration at the Pankey Institute, and much more. She is currently a member of the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry. If you’re struggling with sleep apnea, she’d be happy to help! For more information or to schedule an appointment at her office in Sparta, visit her website or call (973) 729-9044.