What Causes Daytime Drowsiness?
If you often feel exhausted and moody during the day, this could mean you’re not sleeping as well as you think. With sleep apnea, as you rest soft tissues in the throat and mouth collapse and cut off airflow, so you stop breathing briefly until the brain interrupts your REM sleep to wake you. Often, you don’t remember waking, and this happens multiple times an hour, so you don’t rest well. You may occasionally wake suddenly gasping for air or choking, and will often snore. Often warning signs include dry mouth, headaches, difficulty with memory, and issues concentrating on tasks at work or school. Don’t ignore these potential symptoms, instead see our team for a diagnosis and to see what treatment will work best for you.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Our team can conduct a detailed sleep test, one you use from the comfort of your own home, to identify changes in blood pressure and breathing cessation. We then offer treatment with an oral appliance. The device is created based on detailed digital images and measurements we gather of your smile, so it fits comfortably and gently moves your jaw and tongue forward to keep airways open and free of obstruction. This device is easy to use and clean, and can travel with you as needed. Many people prefer this to the CPAP machine. Remember, treatment not only helps you feel more rested, but helps you avoid the stress in your immune and cardiovascular systems that untreated sleep apnea can cause.
Better Sleep Habits
We can also discuss changes to your sleep routine to help lower the risk of sleep apnea episodes. For example, falling asleep on your side instead of your back, and avoiding caffeine, excessive alcohol, large meals, and exercise in the two hours before bed. Don’t look at screens in the hour before bed, and make sure your bedroom is dark and cool. These changes, along with a regular sleep schedule can help you fall asleep faster and rest easier. If you have any questions about how we diagnose and treat issues like sleep apnea with an oral appliance, then contact our team today to learn more.
Let Wheaton Dental Sleep Center Help You Avoid Daytime Exhaustion
We want to make sure you get a truly good night’s rest with an oral appliance. To learn more about feeling more alert and rested during the day, give us a call at Wheaton Dental Sleep Center at (630)665-5555.