So what exactly does your nightly snoring mean? Here’s why you might not want to ignore
snoring, especially if this habit is disrupting your life.

Sleep Apnea

Snoring is one of the most common symptoms of sleep apnea. Although there are three
different types of sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common. Obstructive
sleep apnea happens when the airway becomes partially or completely blocked when sleeping,
which can lead to snoring.

When OSA is present, a person will actually stop breathing during the night and the body will
wake itself up to begin breathing regularly again. This stopping and starting of breathing can be
very jarring for the body and has the potential to lead to a variety of unpleasant health
symptoms.

Conditions Linked to Sleep Apnea

When the body pauses breathing so many times during sleep, oxygen levels in the blood drop.
Since sleep apnea causes the body undue stress due to cessation of breathing, several different
chronic health conditions have been associated with sleep apnea. These include:

 Heart disease
 Headaches
 High blood pressure
 Stroke
 Obesity
 Mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety
 Diabetes

Since many sufferers of sleep apnea also feel very fatigued during the day, there is an increased
chance for accidents such as car accidents during waking hours.

While not everyone who snores will have sleep apnea—and not everyone who has sleep apnea
will snore—it’s imperative to attain a proper diagnosis for your symptoms before jumping to
conclusions or receiving any type of treatment.

What Else Could Snoring Mean?

Snoring doesn’t always mean sleep apnea is present. Snoring can be caused by uniquely formed
nasal passages, such as people who have a deviated septum, who may be more prone to
snoring.

People who frequently have sinus infections may also be more likely to snore. Having muscles
in the throat that relax too much—which can be caused by medications such as narcotics as
well as alcohol consumption—can also cause the airway to collapse during sleep.

Being overweight is also a risk factor for snoring, as excess tissue around the neck and throat
can depress the airway while sleeping.

In order to discover the true cause of your snoring, the first step is often the dentist. Dentists
often come into contact with sleep apnea and while they can talk with you about your
symptoms, you’ll be referred to a sleep specialist for an official diagnosis.

Your dentist can, however, assist you with treating sleep apnea with oral appliances, which help
to keep the airway open during sleep, stop your cessation of breathing, and over time, decrease
your symptoms. Are you worried that you suffer from sleep apnea as a result of snoring? Don’t
wait to get your symptoms evaluated—you can start feeling better with the right treatment!

The post Your Nightly Snoring Could Mean More Than You Think appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Quick Treatment Doesn’t Address the Cause

Products that promise a quick fix for your sleep apnea don’t actually address the problems that are causing the issue. Sleep apnea can have numerous causes. Obesity, anatomy of your throat, high blood pressure, and smoking can all be contributing factors. When you attempt to treat sleep apnea through one of these over-the- counter products, you could even be aggravating an existing condition such as a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. You don’t know what’s causing your sleep apnea without a diagnosis from a sleep physician. By getting an accurate diagnosis, you can move forward with treatment that’s effective and comfortable for your sleep apnea.

You May Not Have Sleep Apnea

When you choose to treat what you think is sleep apnea, you could be attempting to treat a health condition you don’t have. Symptoms of sleep apnea can overlap with those of other conditions. Fatigue and headaches could be the result of depression, insomnia, or stress. Waking up in the night could be a sign of stress rather than sleep apnea. Snoring is one of the most common symptoms of sleep apnea as it indicates an obstructed airway. However, there’s no way you can know for sure if you have one of the three types of sleep apnea without visiting a doctor.

Sleep Apnea Is a Serious Condition

Sleep apnea is a serious health condition that should never be treated without the help of your doctor. Once you have a diagnosis, you and your dentist can work to create a solution. Oral sleep appliances are popular choices for sleep apnea treatment due to their comfort and ease of use. Your dentist can fit you with an oral sleep appliance to curb your sleep apnea symptoms. Take sleep apnea seriously— get a diagnosis. Get treatment. Get results!

Get Professional Treatment That Works

Professional treatment for sleep apnea means getting treatment that’s tailored to you to actually work. Your symptoms may change over time, as you may gain or lose weight or even change medications. Changes such as these can affect sleep apnea, so continuing to manage your care is essential. Your dentist can work to fit your appliance and make adjustments as needed during your treatment.

Addressing any dental health problems you have before getting treatment for sleep apnea is also important. Oral health concerns such as gum disease and TMJ disorders could prevent you from getting an oral sleep appliance. Visiting your dentist is crucial to ensure your mouth is healthy and ready for treatment!

Sleep apnea is not a disorder to be taken lightly. This condition requires professional diagnosis and treatment for real results. If you believe you’re suffering from sleep apnea, schedule an appointment with your dentist today. He or she can talk with you about your symptoms and even refer you to a sleep specialist who can help diagnose you.

The post Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Self-Treat for Sleep Apnea appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Dentists can notice the signs for sleep apnea, since you may complain of headaches, dry mouth (mouth breathing while sleeping) or lethargy. You also see your dentist more often than the doctor, usually every six months or at the least every year for your checkup and professional cleaning. Be open with your dentist and talk with him or her about any symptoms you’re experiencing.

Your dentist is trained to notice the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea—and if you’re breathing through your mouth while sleeping, dry mouth could create an increased risk for cavities and even gum disease. If your dentist thinks you may be suffering from sleep apnea, he or she will recommend a sleep medicine specialist to diagnose you.

Treatment at the Dentist Office

Treatment for sleep apnea can’t happen until you get diagnosed with this sleep disorder. Once you have a confirmed diagnosis, your dentist can actually help treat your sleep apnea! Depending on your type of sleep apnea, an oral appliance may help. Oral appliances reposition the jaw and tongue to improve airflow. They’re easy to wear, removable, and only worn while you sleep.

Sleep apnea oral appliances are covered by many insurance companies as essential treatment for sleep apnea. They help to keep your upper airway open and therefore prevent the collapse of your airway while you sleep, which can cause you to stop breathing. Your dentist has undergone training to recognize symptoms of sleep apnea as well as to treat it. Talk to your health care professionals about your symptoms!

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

It’s important to know the risk factors as well as the symptoms of sleep apnea to determine if you’re at risk and if you are, when to seek a professional diagnosis of your condition. The risk factors for sleep apnea include:

 Being overweight or obese

 Age (older adults experience sleep apnea more often)

 Alcohol use or abuse

 Smoking

 Being a man (men are twice as likely to experience sleep apnea)

The symptoms of sleep apnea range from snoring, dry mouth, and fatigue during the day to irritability, a dull headache, or awakening during the night short of breath. If you have any of these symptoms, discuss them with your doctor to see if a sleep apnea oral appliance could help alleviate your symptoms!

Sleep apnea is considered a serious sleeping disorder that can increase your risk of death and lead to other serious health conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and atrial fibrillation (AFIB). Talk to your dentist about any symptoms you’re experiencing, and ask if he or she can recommend a sleep specialist. Sleep apnea can be treated by your dentist, so don’t ignore the signs!

The post Waking Up Exhausted? Sleep Apnea Could Be the Cause appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.