If you have been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, or if you are suffering from the symptoms of the disorder, you already know that OSA can severely impact your quality of life. Lack of sleep can cause mood swings, irritability, and difficulties in your personal relationships. Your reduced energy can also keep you from enjoying the activities you love. You may not be aware, however, of the dramatic effects that obstructive sleep apnea can have on your professional abilities. Lack of sleep will affect your memory, productivity, and motor skills .Dr. Gershberg offers effective, personalized sleep apnea treatment. After appropriate care, you could enjoy an improved work performance and, possibly, new professional opportunities. For more information contact Dr. Gershberg’s specialty sleep apnea clinic at (610)527-6704.
What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
For optimal health, you must have a full, uninterrupted night’s sleep. If you have sleep apnea, you will wake up repeatedly, due to cessations in your breathing. Sometimes, this can occur hundreds of times a night. As you sleep, your soft palate or throat will slacken, and the tissues will block the flow of air. In other cases, your tongue may drop back into your throat with similar effects. You will then wake up or move to a lighter sleep cycle, and breathing will resume. However, you will never get the deep sleep that your body needs. Anyone can suffer from sleep apnea, but it most commonly affects older males, overweight patients, and those with a family history of OSA.
How OSA Can Limit Your Abilities on the Job
When you do not get enough sleep, your cognitive function will suffer. Of course, this can dramatically limit your aptitude at work. According to a study published in the Journal of Sleep Research in 2010, individuals with sleep apnea were more likely to have difficulties with concentration, organization, and productivity. They were also more prone to miss work or to fall asleep on the job. The National Sleep Foundation also reports an alarming link between sleep apnea and industrial accidents. According to their research, sleep deprived workers are 70% more likely to be involved in an accident than rested workers. Those who are sleepy and snore (a common symptom of OSA) are 50% more likely to be involved.
How Sleep Apnea Can Affect Your Personal Life
Perhaps even more significantly, obstructive sleep apnea can interfere with personal relationships. Your chronic exhaustion may make leave you feeling depressed and irritable, which can be hard on your loved ones. As a male, sleep apnea can affect your performance in the bedroom, as well. Plus, loud snoring can be disruptive to your spouse. Like many couples, your partner may have begun sleeping in another room to avoid your noisy breathing! In short, a seemingly simple sleep disorder could drive a wedge between you and those you love the most.
Sleep Apnea Treatment to Enhance Your Personal and Professional Life
Dr. Gershberg understands the important and far-reaching effects of sleep apnea. Therefore, he offers effective, non-invasive treatment. Our custom-made mandibular adjustment devices (MADs) will realign your jaw while you sleep. The device will push your lower jaw forward. In this way, it will tighten your soft tissues and move your tongue towards the front of your mouth. Your body will still relax while you are asleep. However, your throat will stay open. Dr. Gershberg will work closely with our lab to make sure that your device is comfortable and secure. Like most patients, you should adjust to it quickly, and you will find it convenient, subtle, and easy to transport. Best of all, your sleep, relationships, and work life will typically improve after just a few nights!
Contact Us for More Information about Sleep Apnea
If OSA is affecting your overall quality of life, Dr. Gershberg can help. Contact us today to get fitted for your custom oral appliance.