Have you and your partner been inexplicably irritable lately? You feel restless throughout the night and the domino effect is your partner complaining about it and your horrible snoring habit. Believe it or not, you may be suffering from a sleeping disorder known as obstructive sleep apnea. There are many patients that have had the same stressful nights and turned bed time back to a relaxing period with sleep apnea in Bella Vista from Combs & White Family Dentistry. If you’re tired of the quality of your life declining for you and your sleeping partner, it may be time to learn about what Dr. Combs and Dr. White can do for you and your family.
Why do I snore because of sleep apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea is a common type of sleeping disorder that interrupts breathing due to the relaxed muscles in the back of your throat. One of the most common symptoms is a gasping, choking, or snoring sound while you sleep. These sounds may occur repeatedly 5 to 30 times or more each hour throughout the night, representing each time your body has to reset so that you can receive the vital oxygen it needs to survive the night.
Snoring happens when the throat muscles relax. Your tongue may fall to the back of your throat and your airways become narrower than they should be. Snoring occurs primarily when you inhale, but can also happen to a lesser degree when you exhale. The sleeper is partially aroused to resume breathing by the brain, which causes them to have poor sleep.
Are you a high-risk sleep apnea patient?
Although, sleep apnea can affect people of all ages, there are some factors that increase this risk:
- Age– People age 40 and over are at higher risk.
- Being overweight– An obstruction of breathing can be caused by fat deposits around the upper airway.
- Being male– More likely to occur in males than females.
- Family history –The risk of developing sleep apnea is greater for people who have family members with this condition.
- Alcohol use– This type of beverage relaxes the throat muscles.
- Smoking– Smoking can cause inflammation and fluid retention in the airway.
- Neck circumference– The airway may become narrower with a thicker neck.
- Narrowed airway– Enlarged adenoids or tonsils or a naturally narrow throat.
- Nasal congestion –If you have difficulty breathing through your nose, your chances of developing OSA is greater.
Patients that are living with sleep apnea are susceptible to a very dangerous domino effect. Because you’re not receiving the sleep you need, you’ll most likely experience excessive daytime fatigue, depression, and trouble concentrating. This leads to a higher risk for motor vehicle accidents, hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, and even strokes.
Who should I seek help from?
Sleep apnea can be hard to diagnose alone, or even with your partner if they’re a hard sleeper. The best way to get down to the bottom of your sleeping condition is to visit Combs & White Family Dentistry. We specialize in sleep studies and dentistry and truly understand the correlation between the two. If we find that you are suffering from obstructive sleep apnea, we offer effective custom oral appliances that can adjust your airways.
If you’re interested in receiving more details on sleep apnea or how we can help you, contact our office. We’re more than happy to help patients regain a full night’s sleep once again.