Everyone needs a good night’s rest to feel their best, or it can affect your health and quality of life. Lack of sleep can put a person on edge, causing irritability on top of daytime fatigue, which are both symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea. Another sign of the sleep disorder is chronic snoring. Although it may not keep you awake, it can make it nearly impossible for your partner to fall asleep. You don’t have to sleep in separate bedrooms. Your dentist has the solution you need to breathe better, so everyone feels refreshed and rejuvenated when starting their day.
Snoring and Sleep Apnea
Everyone snores occasionally, like when dealing with nasal congestion; however, it can indicate sleep apnea if the issue is ongoing. The most common type of sleep apnea (OSA) is caused by an obstruction in the upper airway. The muscles in the back of the mouth or throat can collapse while sleeping. The blockage can lead to numerous interruptions in breathing throughout the night.
Each pause in breathing depletes your body of oxygen and interrupts your sleep cycle. You can experience a variety of complications without any treatment, like sleep deprivation, heart disease, and depression. Snoring is also a common sign of OSA. The loud noise is caused by vibrations of air passing over the narrowed passage. Everyone who snores doesn’t have sleep apnea, but it can be a red flag.
If your partner suspects you have sleep apnea, they can lose sleep worrying about your well-being. The added stress combined with nightly snoring can affect their sleep quality and health, too. Both stress and lack of sleep are linked to increasing the risk for multiple health conditions, like heart attack, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
Stop Snoring for Peaceful Nights
Your first step to treating chronic snoring involves discussing your concerns with your physician. They may refer you for a sleep study, which is a diagnostic evaluation to determine if OSA is the cause. With a confirmed diagnosis, you and your partner are one step closer to peaceful nights.
A CPAP is the most traditional method of treating sleep apnea. A machine delivers a steady stream of air pressure through a mask worn over the nose to prevent pauses in breathing. Although it is effective, the machine can be bothersome for certain patients or their loved ones.
You’re not out of options. An oral appliance can treat snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. The custom-fit appliance repositions the tongue or lower jaw to prevent the soft tissues from creating an obstruction.
After just one night, your partner can stop tossing and turning thanks to oral appliance therapy for snoring and sleep apnea.
About Dr. Richard Thomas
Dr. Thomas earned his dental degree from Case Western Reserve University before continuing his training at Ohio State University and the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies, like sleep apnea therapy. If chronic snoring is keeping you or your partner awake, contact our office today to see if an oral appliance is right for you.