Serving areas of Okemos, Lansing, and East Lansing, MI
Obstructive sleep apnea is a serious sleep breathing disorder that, without proper treatment, can lead to life-threatening health consequences. The American Medical Association estimates that approximately 30 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea. However, the exact figure is uncertain, as many people with sleep apnea never receive a proper diagnosis, much less treatment. This is why, today on the blog, Dr. Christine Tenaglia wants to make you aware of six warning signs of sleep apnea.
Snoring
This is considered the most prevalent warning sign of sleep apnea, which occurs when the airway becomes obstructed or totally blocked when you lay down to sleep – usually due to a collapse of soft tissue into the airway due to relaxation of the throat muscles. When a blockage occurs, and your body tries to maintain breathing and push air past the blockage, the tissue vibrates, which creates the sound you hear when someone snores.
Dry mouth
People who have sleep apnea have a greater likelihood to breathe through the mouth when they sleep, which can cause dry mouth. Having dry mouth also diminishes saliva production and can increase your risk of tooth decay or gum disease.
Headaches
When you experience an airway blockage due to sleep apnea, which is also referred to as an apneic event, oxygen levels drop until your brain, which believes you are choking to death, signals your body to come out of the sleep cycle and resume normal breathing. Someone with severe, untreated sleep apnea may experience hundreds of apneic events per night. Sleep apnea lowers overall blood oxygenation levels, which widens blood vessels and can cause vascular headaches, especially first thing in the morning.
Daytime fatigue
Sleep apnea considerably lowers the quality of your sleep. If you have this disorder, no matter how many hours of sleep you get or how early you go to bed, you never feel rested because your quality of sleep is so poor. Living with daytime fatigue impedes your performance at work or school. This also increases the risk of an accident when you are driving or otherwise operating heavy machinery.
Weight gain
You are never going to be your best physically if you do not get the proper amount of quality rest. The deepest stage of sleep is key to restoring your mind as well as your body. If you are trying to lose weight and struggling to see results despite sticking to your diet and exercising regularly, poor sleep could be the culprit.
Chronic health conditions
Untreated sleep apnea has been linked to a variety of serious medical conditions: diabetes, heart disease, cognitive decline, stroke,depression and even certain forms of cancer. The continued decreased levels of oxygen due to sleep apnea place strain on the brain and the heart and can create chronic inflammation throughout the body. These inflammatory markers also increase the risk of a heart attack, stroke, dementia and insulin resistance.
Treating sleep apnea in Okemos, Lansing and East Lansing, Michigan
If you are experiencing any combination of the above issues, then you need to be evaluated for sleep apnea. Once you receive a diagnosis from a qualified sleep specialist, a sleep apnea dentist like Dr. Tenaglia can provide treatment for your sleep apnea without the need for CPAP. Start getting the quality rest you need; if you are experiencing signs of sleep apnea or you already have been diagnosed with this sleep breathing disorder, contact Tenaglia Smiles today to schedule a consultation. Just call (517) 347-6733 or complete our online appointment request form.