What is sleep apnea?
Patients with sleep apnea repeatedly stop breathing and then start again throughout the night, which wakes them up over and over again. They may not even realize they are doing this, but tell-tale signs include snoring loudly and feeling tired all the time even though you think you are getting enough sleep. Other symptoms include having a dry mouth when waking up, morning headaches, and irritability.
Left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to heart or liver problems, high blood pressure, and diabetes, just to name a few complications – besides the dangers of living life when you are tired all the time.
What causes sleep apnea?
There are several factors that increase a person’s risk for sleep apnea, such as obesity, tobacco use, having a family history of sleep apnea, and having nasal congestion from allergies or an anatomical problem with your nose. Medical conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, can also increase the risk.
How is sleep apnea treated?
Probably the most well-known treatment for sleep apnea is a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine, which involves wearing a mask while you sleep. Air is delivered through the mask to keep airways open. Many people find a CPAP machine to be uncomfortable and cumbersome.
Another option is an oral appliance, available from your dentist, which is simply a mouthguard that you wear at night. This helps to put the jaw in the proper position, so that the airway is open and the patient can breathe normally.
You don’t have to live with sleep apnea, and you don’t have to bother with a CPAP machine. Get a good night’s sleep, with a mouthguard! Soft Touch Dentistry can fit you with an oral appliance to help your sleep apnea. Contact them today, at the Brighton Office at (617) 782-9250 or the Newton Office at (617) 332-8146.
