Are you often fatigued during the day, even after a full night's sleep? Do you snore loudly or wake up gasping for air? These could be signs of a common but serious sleep disorder called sleep apnea. Many people have sleep apnea without even knowing it, which can lead to serious health problems if left untreated.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. There are two main types of sleep apnea:
- Obstructive sleep apnea, the more common form, occurs when throat muscles relax and block your airway during sleep.
- Central sleep apnea, which occurs when your brain doesn't send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.
If you snore loudly and feel tired even after a full night's sleep, you might have sleep apnea. It's important to consult with a healthcare professional if you experience, or your partner notices, the following symptoms:
- Loud snoring
- Episodes of stopped breathing during sleep
- Gasping for air during sleep
- Awakening with a dry mouth
- Morning headache
- Difficulty staying asleep (insomnia)
- Excessive daytime sleepiness (hypersomnia)
- Difficulty paying attention while awake
- Irritability
The Dangers of Undiagnosed Sleep Apnea
Many people with sleep apnea remain undiagnosed, which can have serious consequences. Sleep apnea disrupts your sleep and can significantly impact your quality of life, potentially leading to various health problems. These include:
- High blood pressure: Sudden drops in blood oxygen levels that occur during sleep apnea increase blood pressure and strain the cardiovascular system.
- Heart problems: The condition increases the risk of recurrent heart attack, and abnormal heartbeats, such as atrial fibrillation.
- Type 2 diabetes: Sleep apnea increases your risk of developing insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
- Metabolic syndrome: This disorder includes high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol levels, high blood sugar, and an increased waist circumference.
- Liver problems: People with sleep apnea are more likely to have abnormal results on liver function tests, and their livers are more likely to show signs of scarring.
How is Sleep Apnea Diagnosed?
Diagnosis of sleep apnea is not simple and involves a sleep study test called polysomnography. Alternatively, home sleep tests are also becoming more common. In either case, you might be asked to take a self-assessment test, which looks at symptoms such as daytime sleepiness and snoring intensity.
Treatment Options for Sleep Apnea
There are several treatment options for sleep apnea, which can be tailored to your specific needs and may include one or more of the following:
- Lifestyle changes: such as weight loss, quitting smoking, or positional therapy to help you sleep in a way that prevents your airway from collapsing.
- Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy: where a machine delivers air pressure through a mask while you sleep, keeping your upper airway passages open.
- Oral appliances: designed to keep your throat open, such as mandibular advancement devices.
- Surgery: several types of surgeries, including nasal surgery, throat surgery, or oral surgery, can increase the size of your airway to help you breathe better.
Sleep Apnea Treatment in Martinsburg, WV
If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of sleep apnea, don't hesitate to reach out to us at Tuscarora Dental. Dr. Angelina Browning and Dr. Brandon Smith are experienced in diagnosing and treating sleep apnea. We are dedicated to helping our patients in Martinsburg, WV, improve their sleep and their health. Call us today at (304) 263-3131 to request an appointment.
