Do you snore loudly at night? Do you wake up choking or gasping for air? Are you drowsy during the day in spite of a full night’s rest? You may have a potentially serious sleeping disorder called sleep apnea.
The most common type of sleep apnea is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). This condition occurs when the muscles in the back of the throat relax and the airway becomes too narrow to breathe properly, causing the brain to jolt you awake when it senses a lack of oxygen. These jolts happen repeatedly throughout the night and add up to an disturbed night’s sleep.
Symptoms and Risks of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a risk to your health and it is best to get evaluated and treated as soon as you discover symptoms, such as:
- Loud snoring at night
- Breaks in breathing followed by gasping or choking sounds
- Restless sleep
- Headaches, especially in the morning after a full night’s sleep
- Excessive daytime sleepiness or drowsiness
- Depression or irritability
Without proper treatment, sleep apnea can put you at risk of developing or contributing to a myriad of health problems, including:
- Heart attack/heart disease
- Irregular heart beat
- High blood pressure
- Headaches or migraines
- Impaired memory or dementia
- Increased motor vehicle and work-related accidents
Sleep Apnea Treatment
At All American Smile Dental Studios, our professional team of experts will make you an oral appliance that gently aligns the jaw and tongue so that your airway stays open during sleep. If you are tired of hearing from your sleeping partner that you snore all night, or if you would like to feel well-rested during the day, this oral appliance may be just what you are looking for. We would love for you to come in for a consultation to see what we can do for you! This simple technology could change your life! Don’t live with sleep apnea, contact us today for an appointment!