Many people look forward to sleeping after a long day of work or school to recharge. Unfortunately, there are people who, despite their tiredness find it hard to rest. Or they may even find themselves tired after waking up in the morning. Patients who experience these should not think of the occurrence as normal. These may signify a severe disorder that can lead to various issues if proper measures are not taken.
At Hudson Oaks Family Dentistry, we highly encourage our patients who have been feeling restless at night and tired during daytime to seek professional assistance for they may be suffering from sleep apnea. Unfamiliar about this disorder? Continue reading to find out more!
Sleep apnea is a condition that can cause a person to cease breathing repeatedly during sleep. The usual reasons for these breathing pauses are the blockage of the airway (obstructive sleep apnea) and the brain’s failure in sending a signal to the muscles (central sleep apnea). The problem is, the pauses can last for a few seconds to a few minutes and take place frequently.
To determine the severity of sleep apnea, here is a guide below.
If episodes take place for:
People can suffer from sleep apnea without them even knowing
Since the breathing pauses take place during sleep, a sufferer may remain unaware of the condition. The ones who usually know that there is something wrong are family members or bed partners.
The condition is often overlooked
Sometimes, people who have sleep apnea are wrongly diagnosed as someone with fatigue or depression. Children who happen to have it are also thought to have ADHD instead of sleep apnea. For proper diagnosis, patients are advised to see a dentist to undergo examinations like sleep study.
Untreated sleep apnea is dangerous
Not only will a person feel unrefreshed after their sleep, but it can also increase their risk to certain health complications. Some of the issues that a person suffering from sleep apnea can experience are diabetes, stroke, heart attack, and more.
Our practice at Hudson Oaks Family Dentistry can help sleep apnea sufferers get the adequate quantity and quality of sleep they need to keep on going every day. We make this possible by offering custom-made oral devices to be worn during sleep. The appliance slightly pushes the lower jaw forward to keep the airway open for the steady flow of air supply.
If you’re suffering from a sleep disorder that causes breathing pauses, then it may be Sleep Apnea! Book your appointment immediately at Hudson Oaks Family Dentistry for Sleep Apnea Treatment in Hudson Oaks, TX. You can visit us at 200 South Oakridge Drive, Suite 106 Hudson Oaks, TX 76087.