You may wonder why you should discuss common symptoms of sleep apnea with your dentist. Peak Dentistry, serving Clyde, NC and the general vicinity offers oral appliances to treat sleep apnea. Because these oral appliances keep your airways open without the need for an uncomfortable mask or loud machine, they are often an excellent solution for our patients. The first step, though, is to understand the symptoms you should look for.
General Information About Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea classifies as a sleep disorder. It causes your breathing to stop and resume while you sleep. The most common form is obstructive sleep apnea, which happens as a result of your throat muscles relaxing.
Loud Snoring
Narrow airways make it more difficult for air to pass through, which can cause snoring. For patients who have elongated uvulas, this tissue can further obstruct breathing. Moreover, vibrations may increase as a result of the size of your uvula.
Daytime Fatigue
If you have sleep apnea, you’re not getting a solid night’s sleep. Your body doesn’t receive enough oxygen. Plus, you wake up continuously throughout the night, even if you don’t realize it. Therefore, during the day, you may feel tired. Sometimes, you may experience difficulty staying awake.
Irritability
Since you’re not getting a quality night of sleep, you may feel irritable during the day. Numerous studies have shown that even mild sleep deprivation has an impact on your mood. It’s also possible that you’ll feel depressed or anxious.
Morning Headaches
Sleep apnea leads to morning headaches. They only occur in the morning because airway obstruction stops once you wake up. The vessels in your brain restore to normal size, and the pressure in your head lessens. Additionally, your lungs expel any excess carbon dioxide that accumulated in your body overnight when you start breathing normally.
Attention Problems
The lack of oxygen you receive while you sleep affects your brain. So does not getting an adequate night of sleep. Therefore, you may notice you have difficulty focusing.
Peak Dentistry Can Help
Schedule an appointment with Peak Dentistry if you have sleep apnea or are experiencing symptoms of it. No one wants to suffer the consequences of continual sleep deprivation. We look forward to seeing you in our Clyde, NC office soon.
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