The Alarming Connection Between Snoring and Sleep Apnea
Have you been told you snore? While it may seem harmless, snoring is actually a symptom of a serious medical condition known as sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that affects millions of people. Many live with the condition without knowing it or realizing the danger it brings to their health. Sleep apnea often results when soft tissue in the back of mouth falls into the airway. This can cause you to stop breathing hundreds of times throughout the night, often for 10 seconds or more. We offer various treatment options for sleep apnea to improve your health and quality of sleep.
Is Your Health at Risk From Sleep Apnea?
The importance of treating your sleep apnea as soon as possible cannot be overstated. Apart from the need for quality rest, untreated sleep apnea poses serious health complications like heart problems, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, migraines, and more. Are you at risk for sleep apnea?
Risk factors for this sleep disorder are:
- Male gender
- Over 40
- Large neck
- Large tongue
- Sinus problems
- Alcohol use
- Tobacco use
- Use of tranquilizers/sedatives
Sleep Apnea Treatment Restores Health and Quality of Living
A sleep study is one of the tools used to diagnose sleep apnea. The results help to determine the best course of action for your needs. Sleep apnea ranges from mild to severe, and may affect you differently than the next patient. In severe cases, surgery to remove excess tissue and create a more open airway may be necessary. At Comfort Dental, we offer the solutions you need to address your sleep apnea.
Most cases are treated by non-surgical methods, such as:
- Behavioral/lifestyle changes
- Oral appliances
- CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) therapy
- Sleep-aid medication