It’s believed that the vast majority of cases of obstructive sleep apnea are currently undiagnosed. This is a very serious problem because if sleep-disordered breathing isn’t treated as promptly as possible, it can have a devastating impact on your overall health. As such, it’s important to have a firm grasp on what sleep apnea is, what can happen if it’s left untreated, and what you can do to address it.
What Exactly is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common kind of sleep apnea. It can happen if the airway is blocked by relaxed tissues in your mouth or throat while you’re asleep. An obstructed airway can cause your breathing to temporarily stop, forcing your body to wake up for air. These pauses and awakenings can happen multiple times in a single night; as you might imagine, this can make it very difficult to get the sleep you need.
What are the Consequences of Untreated Sleep Apnea?
Thanks to your slumber being constantly interrupted, sleep apnea can leave you feeling groggy during the day. This makes it more likely that you’ll get into an accident while driving or while operating heavy equipment at work.
On top of that, untreated sleep apnea has been linked to poor cardiovascular health. In particular, it can increase your risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, heart attack, and even outright heart failure. Sleep apnea has also been shown to affect mental well-being, as it can be related to memory loss and depression.
What Can You Do About Sleep Apnea?
Having sleep apnea treated as soon as possible is of the utmost importance, so you should keep an eye out for any warning signs. Loud snoring is one of the most well-known symptoms of sleep apnea, but you’ll likely need your bed partner to let you know that it’s happening. Other side effects include unexplained fatigue during the day, mood swings, and dry mouth.
Symptoms alone aren’t enough to know for sure whether you’re suffering from sleep apnea. You will need to undergo a sleep test, which can be completed at home or at a dental laboratory. The data from the test can help confirm the nature of your sleep disorder.
After a diagnosis has been made, you can seek treatment for sleep apnea. This could involve using a CPAP machine, but if you would like an alternative, you may want to look into getting an oral appliance instead.
Sleep apnea should never be ignored for too long. If you have any reason to think you have the disorder, you should take steps to have it treated by a professional as soon as possible so that you can once again enjoy more peaceful, truly restful nights.
About the Author
Dr. David J. Drummond attended the Northwestern University Dental School in Chicago and served in the United States Army Dental Corps. At Stop Snoring Lawton, he’s proud to offer customized oral appliances as a solution for patients who need a sleep apnea solution and don’t want to rely on CPAP therapy. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Drummond, visit his website or call (580) 355-0344.