Despite the fact that sleep apnea affects millions of patients across the world, it remains one of the lesser-known chronic health conditions. Even patients who have it don’t always understand what it means, or recognize that they have sleep apnea at all. Fortunately, patients in Syosset, NY, who suffer from sleep apnea and its numerous effects can often find more information about their condition, including how to treat it, at their dentist’s office.
Why it causes you to snore constantly
Chronic snoring is one of the most prominent symptoms of sleep apnea, which is one of the reasons why many patients don’t recognize it as a serious issue. That’s because sleep apnea describes an obstruction in your airway caused by mouth and/or throat tissues, causing you to snore increasingly more loudly as the obstruction grows. In the case of sleep apnea, snoring isn’t just a symptom, but also a precursor to its most hazardous characteristic – the cessation of your breathing.
Why your snoring stops suddenly
Sleep apnea is often confused with just snoring because the causes are similar; snoring is caused by a partial obstruction in your airway, while sleep apnea occurs because of complete obstruction. This means sleep apnea doesn’t just make breathing more difficult, but also causes you to stop breathing altogether for several moments at a time. Your body will automatically clear the airway without rousing you from consciousness, but the interruption still affects your oxygen levels and your ability to reach deep, restful sleep.
Why treating sleep apnea matters
Given the fact that snoring is sleep apnea’s most common symptom, alleviating it is one of the most notable benefits of treating sleep apnea. However, you also allow yourself to finally achieve deep, high-quality sleep and maintain a healthy supply of oxygen every night. This results in a reduction of symptoms related to sleep apnea, including daytime fatigue, decreased mental clarity, and other effects of sleep deprivation. Fortunately, many patients can treat their sleep apnea conditions simply and conveniently with a custom-designed sleep apnea appliance from their dentist.
Learn about dealing with sleep apnea
If you have sleep apnea, then find out if we can help you treat it and mitigate its symptoms with a custom-designed sleep appliance. For more information, schedule a consultation by calling Syosset Dental in Syosset, NY today at 516-433-2211 or 516-921-1678.
