October 31, 2017
Most of us know the steps we need to take to feel good and be healthy: eat a balanced, nutritious diet, exercise regularly enough, and get plenty of sleep every night. That last one is where many of us fall behind — whether it’s due to your busy schedule or circumstances outside of your control. Sleep apnea, for example, can rob you of your restful sleep even if you manage to go to bed on time. Unfortunately, the condition affects over 20 million people in the US.
People who suffer from sleep apnea are more likely to be chronically exhausted and irritable, alongside a host of other serious health conditions. Keep reading to learn how sleep apnea can affect your everyday life — and what to do about it.
Life With Untreated Sleep Apnea
The most common form of sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), occurs when your airway becomes partially or completely blocked while you sleep. Unable to get the oxygen it needs, your brain sends out an emergency signal to wake the body up and resume breathing. People with sleep apnea may have their sleep interrupted hundreds of times in a single night — and that leads to a host of issues the next day. For people with untreated sleep apnea, the following symptoms are just part of their normal experience.
- Memory loss
- Low sex-drive
- And other symptoms related to poor sleep
These symptoms are significant enough — but they’re not all. Over time, sleep apnea takes a greater toll on overall health.
Larger Health Issues with Sleep Apnea
The thing about sleep is that your body really needs it to survive. Your organs undergo a sizable amount of stress throughout the day — and getting the proper amount of rest benefits everything from your heart to your memory function.
People who experience chronic bad sleep due to sleep apnea are at a higher risk of the following health conditions.
- Cardiovascular disease
- High blood pressure
- Low blood oxygen levels
- Abnormal cholesterol
- And other health problems
Treating Sleep Apnea
We know sleep apnea is likely to make you feel tired, grumpy, anxious, and irritable in your daily life. Is there any relief in sight? Yes — but usually only if you partner with a professional. As an expert in everything related to your mouth, a sleep dentist in Pomona is especially well-equipped to handle sleep apnea therapy.
The symptoms of sleep apnea can be reduced with an oral appliance that you wear while you sleep at night. The CPAP, or continuous positive airway pressure machine, can be combined with an oral appliance for more severe cases of sleep apnea.
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of sleep apnea, do not wait to schedule an appointment with a sleep dentist or your general doctor for a diagnosis. Doing so is the first step in getting the sleep you need!
About the Authors
Drs. Auster, Tang, and Tesser are well-known for providing world-class dentistry, including sleep apnea treatment in Pomona. To learn more about the effects of sleep apnea or to schedule an appointment to discuss diagnosis or treatment, you are invited to contact the office at 845-364-0400.
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