Do you often feel tired during the day, even if you believe you slept well? Do you snore frequently? Understanding the common warning signs and causes of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can help you take action to improve your overall health and quality of life. In today’s blog, our Wheaton, IL, sleep clinic is looking at the facts about OSA.
The Causes and Risk Factors
Sleep apnea means that as you sleep, you stop breathing multiple times a night. The brain wakes you to resume, and this interrupts your sleep cycle. Even if you don’t remember this happening, it leaves you feeling exhausted and could mean serious complications down the road. Central sleep apnea means the brain doesn’t signal your respiratory muscles to breathe, and cannot be treated by a dentist. But obstructive sleep apnea, when muscles and tissues in the throat and the back of the mouth become too relaxed and cut off airflow, can often be treated with a comfortable oral appliance!
As for risk factors, men are more likely to develop OSA, and this is especially true for this over the age of 50. That said, women and younger people can also suffer from OSA. Risk factors include obesity, large neck circumference, deviated septum, low-hanging soft palates, large nostrils, small jaws, and overbites. Excessive alcohol consumption can also be a factor. As part of your treatment, we will need to diagnose the causes.
Common Symptoms
Symptoms could include chronic snoring, fatigue, memory issues, headaches and night sweats, dry mouth, nighttime urination, and waking up gasping for air or choking.
Long-Term Dangers
The disorder is linked to a strained immune system and as a result, more frequent illness. High blood pressure, heart disease, cardiomyopathy, and type-2 diabetes are also possible complications. You could also suffer poor performance in work and school.
Starting Treatment
Our team will diagnose the presence of OSA and the severity, and will often recommend an oral appliance. The device is custom-fitted for your smile, and helps move your jaw and tongue forward to keep airways open and free of obstruction, so you can enjoy optimal sleep again. We want to help you feel more rested and alert during the day. If you have any questions about how our team will diagnose and treat an issue like sleep apnea, or about positive changes you can make to your sleep routines, then contact our team today to learn more.
Talk To Your Wheaton, IL Sleep Clinic About Your Sleep Apnea Symptoms
When you begin to experience the common warning signs of a sleep disorder, please reach out to our clinic right away. For more information on recognizing common symptoms of OSA, call Wheaton Dental Sleep Center today at (630) 665-5555.