If there’s anything that we need, it’s a good night’s sleep. Without it, things slowly fall apart. Our health begins to suffer, we are never in a good mood and likely make the lives of those around us less fun. When we snore, we not only affect block our own sleep, but we may also be affecting the sleep of others. According to the National Sleep Foundation, doctors, researchers, and sleep centers have been making great advances in raising awareness about the symptoms and causes of sleep apnea, but there are so many misconceptions to this sleep disorder, it’s difficult to decipher what’s true or false. So, let’s take a moment to dispel the more common myths:
Everyone that snores has sleep apnea. While snoring can be a sign of sleep apnea, it isn’t always a symptom. People who suffer from sleep apnea pause their breathing while they’re asleep, sometimes even hundreds of times every night. This can impact their overall health by disrupting their sleep cycle and decreasing their sleep. There is also research that has shown that untreated sleep apnea can result in many serious health problems, such as heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke.
Only older people get sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can actually affect people of all ages, including children. There are some physical attributes that can increase your risk of devolving this sleep disorder, such as being overweight or being male.
Only obese or overweight people get sleep apnea. As fatty tissues in the throat increase due to increased weight, they can collapse and block the airway when one relaxes during sleep. However, even a well-conditioned athlete with a muscular neck can have this same issue.
Schedule an appointment today with Dr. Jim Tehrani, DDS by calling (310)406-0745 or visit www.beachcitiesdentistry.com to find out more information regarding sleep apnea.
Dr. Tehrani gladly accepts patients from Manhattan Beach and all surrounding areas.