Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley CA
Sleep apnea is a sleep-breathing disorder in which the sufferer wakes up throughout the night even though they are usually unaware of these events. This disorder is characterized by pauses in breathing in which the brain wakes up, disrupting the deep stage of the sleep cycle, to signal the body to breathe again. Untreated sleep apnea results in chronic fatigue because the sufferer never fully gets a good night’s sleep. You may have sleep apnea and not know it but struggle staying awake each day or rely on caffeine and/or sugar to get through the afternoons. And if you’re like most people who don’t sleep enough throughout the week, you fall into the trap of trying to “catch up” on your sleep on the weekends or your days off. Today on the blog, our sleep apnea dentists that serve Scotts Valley want you to know that sleeping more isn’t the answer for sleep apnea.
What does it mean to have sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a result of restricted airflow while sleeping. The airway restriction may be anatomical, meaning enlarged adenoids or a deviated septum causes the blockage, or it could be a result of an underdeveloped lower jaw that is recessed to the point that the tongue blocks the airway while sleeping, and in some cases being overweight or having an excess of body fat around the neck may cause labored breathing while lying down.
What are the most common signs of sleep apnea?
The most common sign of sleep apnea is snoring although in some cases, the sufferer may gasp for air or experiencing pauses in breathing while asleep. When left untreated, sleep apnea can increase the risk of serious health consequences like heart disease, diabetes, certain types of cancer, and even death. This may sound extreme, but when the body lacks sufficient oxygen, inflammation throughout the body, referred to as systemic inflammation, develops. Systemic inflammation has been proven to have a direct link to many diseases that result in poor health or an early death. Therefore, it’s essential to seek treatment if you snore or think that you may have sleep apnea.
Another common complaint of sleep apnea sufferers is chronic fatigue. Adults often experience fatigue, although most are able to carry out their usual tasks each day. However, for a sleep apnea sufferer, they may fall asleep at work or while driving and have a disinterest in once-loved activities like spending time with family or leaving the house in the evenings because they feel so tired. If this sounds familiar, resist the urge to just “catch up” on your sleep this weekend. Instead, consider scheduling a sleep apnea screening in Scotts Valley at Ebrahimian Integrative Dentistry. Because deep sleep is nearly impossible for someone with untreated sleep apnea, “sleeping” more isn’t going to help cure your fatigue.
How can I get help with my sleep apnea?
Our sleep apnea dentists can help determine if you experience an airway restriction that could be the result of sleep apnea. If it is determined that you may benefit from an official sleep study, our sleep apnea dentists near Santa Cruz will refer you for that study. Additionally, we offer sleep apnea appliances that can comfortably be worn while sleeping, without the hassle of a noisy and cumbersome CPAP machine. Instead, sleep apnea sufferers can experience relief, improved air flow while sleeping, and less fatigue by managing their sleep apnea with a custom oral appliance.
Sleep Apnea Screenings in Scotts Valley, Los Gatos, and Santa Cruz, California
If you believe that you have sleep apnea or think that you may benefit from a sleep apnea screening, contact Ebrahimian Integrative Dentistry by calling (831) 438-4411. Through a simple airway assessment, we can have you on your way to resting better at night in no time.
