This year, Sleep Awareness Week falls on March 9 to March 15. It was started by the National Sleep Foundation in order to help people learn more about the importance of good sleep as well as the harmful impact that sleep disorders such as sleep apnea can have on one’s quality of life. As part of Sleep Awareness Week, your dentist encourages you to learn more about the warning signs of sleep apnea as well as why it’s important to treat it promptly.
What is Sleep Apnea?
If your breathing repeatedly stops and restarts while you’re asleep, you have sleep apnea. While this can occasionally be the result of the brain not sending the right signals to control breathing, it’s more often a consequence of the airway being physically obstructed in some manner. Regardless of the exact cause, the interruptions in your breathing can disrupt your sleep cycle, thus preventing you from getting a good night’s rest.
How Can You Recognize Sleep Apnea?
There are several symptoms that can potentially indicate the presence of sleep apnea. For example:
- You might be told that you snore loudly during the night.
- Someone else may have observed you choking or gasping for air while asleep.
- You may feel excessively drowsy during the day.
- You may feel more irritable than normal or have trouble concentrating.
- You may often wake up with a sore throat, a dry mouth, or a headache.
Upon recognizing the warning signs of sleep apnea, it’s recommended that you seek a diagnosis from a sleep expert as soon as possible.
Why Is It Important to Have Sleep Apnea Treated?
If sleep apnea leaves you feeling more tired than normal during the day, it could have more serious consequences than you might think. Not only can it have a negative impact on your cognitive functions during the day, but it can also make you more prone to falling asleep at the wrong time – such as when you’re driving.
Furthermore, sleep apnea is associated with a wide range of health issues. In particular, it can raise your blood pressure and increase your risk of suffering from a stroke, a heart attack, or another cardiovascular event.
For the sake of your quality of life and your overall well-being, it’s best to have sleep apnea treated as soon as possible. This can potentially involve a CPAP machine, but in some cases, you may be able to get a personalized oral appliance from your dentist in order to maintain an open airway while you slumber. If you suspect that you have sleep apnea, you should act quickly to have it diagnosed so that you can get the treatment you deserve.
About the Author
Dr. Julie Young has well over two decades of dental experience. She has been trained by some of the most prominent general and cosmetic dentists in the world, and she always strives to bring her patients the best care possible. She provides customized oral appliances for patients who are struggling with sleep apnea. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Young at Corte Madera Dentist, visit her website or call (415) 924-5300.
