Loud snoring is one of the telltale signs of sleep apnea, a condition where your body repeatedly stops breathing during the night. If you live alone, chances are you won’t notice this particular symptom. But don’t think that means you can afford to ignore your disorder! When left alone, sleep apnea can severely lower your quality of life – and could even be dangerous. Read on to learn the importance of swift sleep apnea treatment in Ponte Vedra Beach.
What are the Side Effects of Sleep Apnea?
When your breathing is interrupted by a sleep apnea episode, you’ll briefly awaken so that your body can get some oxygen. These interruptions and awakenings can occur multiple times every night, meaning you may never reach the deepest restorative stages of sleep. This can leave you exhausted during the day and could easily lead to accidents on the highway or at work while operating heavy equipment.
Poor quality sleep can also be extremely bad for your heart. The frequent drop in oxygen levels leads to high blood pressure, and that in turn puts you at a higher risk for heart attacks, stroke, and other cardiovascular issues. You could even suffer from sudden death as a result of heart failure.
Other health issues connected to sleep apnea include:
- Type 2 Diabetes: The stress of your repeated awakenings can cause your liver to release glucose. Higher glucose levels could cause your body to develop insulin resistance.
- Liver Problems: Patients with sleep apnea are more likely to have livers that function abnormally.
- Dementia: Sleep-disordered breathing has been linked to the buildup of brain beta-amyloid, which is closely associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
What Can You Do If You Have Sleep Apnea?
If you’ve been told you snore or have noticed other symptoms of sleep apnea (daytime drowsiness, morning headaches, mood swings, and so on), you can make an appointment with a sleep dentist. They can use a testing device such as the Embletta Gold to monitor your sleep while you’re at home to see if you’re suffering from sleep-disordered breathing. If the test is positive, they can suggest a form of treatment.
In many cases, patients and dentists alike prefer oral appliances to treat sleep apnea. These devices reposition the mouth to keep the airway open so that you can breathe normally throughout the night. One of the key advantages of getting an oral appliance from your dentist instead of from a store is that the products supplied by your dentist can be custom fitted for your mouth for maximum comfort and effectiveness.
While sleep apnea symptoms and side effects can get worse over time when left unaddressed, the good news is that if you act quickly to improve the quality of your slumber, you can reverse much of the damage. Keep your body well-rested and your heart safe by scheduling a consultation with your sleep dentist today!
About the Author
Dr. Kristopher R. Harth is a lifelong Florida resident who considers it a blessing to be working in a field where he can help people. He has completed thousands of hours of continuing education since graduating from dental school and as a result can offer a wide range of treatments, such as oral appliances for sleep apnea. To schedule a consultation at his practice, Ponte Vedra Complete Dentistry, visit his website or call (904) 285-7711.