What is Sleep Apnea?
If you’ve ever had trouble sleeping, you know how frustrating it can be to be tired the next morning because you didn’t get the rest you needed. With advances in technology, doctors are now able to diagnose the causes of a person’s inability to sleep and provide the necessary treatment. Among the many types of sleeping disorders that people experience, sleep apnea is one of the more common ones.
What exactly is sleep apnea and how do you know if you suffer from it? In many cases, you may not even realize that you have sleep apnea. The person to help you figure out this problem is none other than your dentist. As a general description, sleep apnea is a disorder where your breathing pauses temporarily, or when your breathing becomes shallow while you sleep. The pauses in breathing can last from a few seconds to a few minutes, and can occur as much as 30 times in an hour.
Most people would not know that they suffer from sleep apnea. Sometimes a family member or spouse may be the one to notice this pattern of breathing. Many times snoring can also be a sign of sleep apnea. The only thing that you may notice is excessive daytime sleepiness. This is because when the pauses in breathing take place, you move from deep sleep to light sleep, thus disturbing the rest that your body needs from deep sleep.
Untreated sleep apnea can lead to a number of health risks including high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, obesity, and diabetes. It can also lead to work place related and driving related accidents from being unable to stay alert and awake.
How is Sleep Apnea Treated?
If you were diagnosed with sleep apnea, your first question would be, “How can it be treated?” Lifestyle changes, oral appliances, surgery, and/or breathing devices can successfully treat sleep apnea in many people.
Most cases of sleep apnea go undiagnosed because it cannot be caught during a regular doctor’s visit. More in-depth studies need to be done to properly diagnose a case of sleep apnea. An experienced and professional dentist has the knowledge to do so. Dr. Arellano and his team have that experience and the expertise to help diagnose and treat sleep apnea through oral appliances that can also prevent snoring. They know what to look for and how to care for their patients efficiently and effectively. Talk to Dr. Arellano today to discuss your concerns and get on the path to greater overall health.
