Sleep is crucial for restoring your physical and mental health. Everyone has the occasional night where they do not sleep well. However, if you wake up day after day feeling exhausted and like you never slept at all, you may be living with a condition called sleep apnea. Kelly Smile Dentistry is here to help.
Do You Wake Up Every Morning Completely Exhausted?
When you sleep, your body goes through two different cycles. It repeats these cycles several times. As this occurs, your body can rest as well as repair itself physically, mentally, and emotionally. If you have sleep apnea, you stop breathing for several seconds, several times a night. Known as an apneic event, it causes you to wake up, even if you are unaware. When you fall asleep again, your body has to start the cycles all over again. When you are waking up several times a night, your body is not able to complete the necessary number of cycles to help your body rest and repair. Sleep apnea ranges from mild, 5 to 14 apneic events each hour, to severe, more than 30 apneic events per hour. Having to start your sleep cycles over these many times night after night can take its toll on you.
There Are Two Different Kinds of Sleep Apnea.
Obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA. This is the most common type and occurs when your airway is blocked. Usually, the blockage is your tongue or other tissues near the back of your mouth.
Central sleep apnea. This type of sleep apnea is caused by faulty communication between your brain and the muscles that control your breathing.
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
Chronic exhaustion is one of the most common symptoms of sleep apnea. There are several other symptoms that can point toward this issue as well.
You snore.
You wake up in the morning with a dry or a sore throat.
You feel sluggish and tired all day and find it difficult to perform tasks.
You may fall asleep during the day, even at work or behind the wheel of your car.
You are easily irritated.
You may find it difficult to control your emotions.
In addition to these symptoms sleep apnea can begin to cause serious health issues in the long run. With sleep apnea, you become more likely to experience hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, weight gain, susceptibility to illnesses, and depression.
How Is Sleep Apnea Diagnosed?
To diagnose sleep apnea or another sleep-related disorder, you need to have a professional sleep study done. This can be done in a sleep clinic or your own home. Before you go to sleep, nodes are attached to your body. These nodes connect you to a computer that read and record electrical impulses from your brain as well as your muscles. The next morning, a sleep specialist then reads the recorded information and can make a diagnosis.
Treatment Options for Sleep Apnea
There are a few different options for sleep apnea. Your options will be determined by the severity of your condition.
Weight loss. For some, losing weight can solve sleep apnea.
Continuous positive airway pressure machine. A C-PAP machine delivers a constant stream of air through a small mask worn over your nose.
Oral appliance therapy. We can provide you with a custom fit oral appliance that is made to wear while you sleep. This treatment is suitable for those with mild to moderate sleep apnea and can be used by those who have issues with or do not want to use, a C-PAP machine. The oral appliance is similar to a mouth guard, covering your top teeth. It holds your jaw in proper alignment, preventing the oral tissues from slipping back into your throat.
Oral surgery. In severe cases of sleep apnea, surgery may be recommended. There are few different surgical procedures that may be recommended based on your specific situation.
Proper treatment for sleep apnea can help you to finally get the sleep you need to restore your mental and physical health and restoring your overall quality of life. Call Kelly Smile Dentistry today at 760-242-2338 to schedule your consultation.