These days, there’s no shortage of things that can interrupt a good night’s sleep. For many people, though, such interruptions may not even be noticeable. For instance, patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can lose hours of valuable sleep without realizing it, leading to symptoms of sleep deprivation that may seem unexplainable. If you believe you’re sleeping soundly at night, but still feel sleep deprived, then find out if sleep apnea is the reason why. In many cases, your dentist may be able to help you treat it with a comfortable, custom-designed oral appliance.
What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea describes the cessation of your breathing while you sleep due to a neurological disorder (central sleep apnea, or CSA) or a physical obstruction in your airway (obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA). As the most common form of sleep apnea, OSA is caused by abnormally sized or over-relaxed mouth and throat tissues collapsing into your airway as you sleep. The obstruction causes increasingly loud snoring until the airway is completely blocked, forcing you to stop breathing until your brain panics and forces your body to start breathing again. These episodes can repeat themselves hundreds of times a night, interrupting your sleep cycle without rousing you from consciousness.
Other Symptoms to Beware Of
Loud, consistent snoring is one of the most noticeable symptoms of sleep apnea, and many patients learn of their condition by seeking help at the behest of their sleeping partners. Besides snoring, however, other symptoms that could warn you of OSA include:
- Frequent daytime exhaustion
- Difficulty with memory and concentration
- Unusual irritability; dramatic mood swings
- Weakened immune system
- Increasing health and weight problems
- And more
Stop Sleep Apnea from Interrupting Your Rest
If you snore constantly and/or feel sleep deprived throughout most days, then find out if sleep apnea is to blame and how you can treat it to finally get the rest you deserve. To learn more, schedule a consultation with your dentist by calling Syosset Dental in Syosset, NY today at 516-433-2211 or 516-921-1678.
