Daly City, CA, patients ask, “Does sleep apnea cause low blood oxygen levels while sleeping?”
Many people deal with snoring on a nightly basis – either their own snoring or that of a partner’s. Snoring is a common problem and is often dismissed as a mild annoyance, but it can also be a symptom of sleep apnea. Sleep apnea occurs when the airway become obstructed because the tongue has fallen backward and fully or partially blocks the airway. This problem also disrupts a person’s sleep because it can happen up to 60 times per night leading to low blood oxygen levels which leaves a person feeling exhausted, like they’ve not slept at all.
Many patients are uncertain about how to determine if their snoring is a symptom of sleep apnea. Some of the common identifying symptoms include gasping during sleep, constant exhaustion no matter how many hours he or she slept, feeling restless while sleeping, persistent headaches or sore throat, development of anxiety or depression, unclear thinking, inability to concentrate, or persistent irritability.
Patients who experience these symptoms are urged to call Dr. Leo Arellano, a trusted and respected Daly City dentist who treats sleep apnea, giving his patients a more restful sleep and a happier lifestyle.
Sleep apnea can be treated in several ways. Perhaps the most commonly prescribed option is the CPAP machine that delivers consistent air pressure through a nasal mask or nasal prongs. The downside to this treatment option is that patients often dislike using the mask or prongs. They may find the mask gives them feelings of claustrophobia or that the air pressure causes internal irritation.
Because patients often dislike using the CPAP, Dr. Arellano will collaborate with a patient’s primary care physician to treat sleep apnea using Oral Appliance Therapy. This appliance fits inside the patient’s mouth and moves the lower jaw forward, which keeps the airways open. The Oral Appliance Therapy has a success rate with 95% of patients reporting improvement of apnea symptoms.
To learn more about sleep apnea and possible treatments, call Dr. Arellano today.
