Are There Dangers to Ignoring Sleep Apnea?

Obstructive sleep apnea(OSA) is a serious condition that should never be ignored. It can leave you feeling irritable and groggy. When your condition becomes more severe, sleep apnea can leave you with a dry mouth and a headache in the morning. If you make loud sounds while you sleep, there is a good chance you have sleep apnea.

There are many treatment options when it comes to sleep apnea like oral appliances, continuous pressure airway appliances, and surgical treatments.

Sleep apnea leads to breathing interruptions while you are asleep. These interruptions can occur as many as over 100 times in a single night, which makes it impossible to get quality sleep.

Why you should never ignore sleep apnea

When a person's airway is blocked as they sleep, their brain wakes them up to restore their breathing. This pause in their breathing can last anywhere from only a few seconds to a minute. These interruptions can occur as often as 30 times per night. This makes it impossible to get quality sleep which can lead to a wide range of mental and physical health problems.

A person with sleep apnea might not remember the interruptions to their breathing in the morning, but they will feel the effects as soon as they get out of bed. Morning headaches are a common occurrence for those with OSA. The body feels fatigued from not getting enough sleep, and the brain struggles to concentrate or remember things. Health issues that have been linked to OSA include:

• Heart disease
• Strokes
• Type 2 diabetes
• Heart attacks
• Dementia
• Depression
• Anxiety

Sleep apnea makes it impossible for people with it to perform to the best of their abilities. The constant stress placed on the brain and body by consistently not getting quality sleep can have a significant impact on a person’s learning capacity and work life.

Treatment options for sleep apnea

Here are some of the ways to address OSA:

1. Lifestyle changes

Certain factors like a person’s weight, stress levels, or habits like smoking and drinking can lead to sleep apnea. Stopping negative habits and getting to a healthier weight can improve a patient’s quality of sleep.

2. Oral appliances

Oral appliances can be used to keep a person’s jaw or tongue in the right position while they sleep. Customized devices made by a dentist work best. The use of these appliances is typically an effective way to treat mild to moderate OSA.

3. CPAP machines

These devices are often used to treat severe cases of sleep apnea. It delivers pressurized air to the patient which forces their airway open. As a result, the patient can breathe properly, which allows them to get quality sleep.

4. Surgical treatments

OSA can also be treated by removing tissues that are blocking a person’s airway, like the tonsils. Surgical procedures are used as a last resort when it comes to OSA treatment.

Get past sleep apnea

Call or visit our Columbus if you are struggling with sleep apnea. Our dentist will explore your options with you.

Request an appointment here: https://www.ohiocosmeticdentists.com or call Ohio Cosmetic Dentists at (614) 503-5240 for an appointment in our Columbus office.

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