Are you regularly waking up in the middle of the night and experiencing extreme fatigue the next day? Even if you went to bed early and got 8 hours of sleep, sleep apnea can make you feel exhausted the next day, making you feel miserable and unproductive. If this sounds like you, you’ll want to consider treatment for sleep apnea in Sparks right away.
While having sleep apnea is a frustrating experience, you don’t have to suffer it alone. One of most common conditions in the country, sleep apnea is treatable by your dentist in Sparks.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a condition where the upper airway becomes blocked repeatedly during sleep by reducing or stopping airflow. This can occur either through an obstruction in the airway or when the brain fails to send signals needed to breathe. To diagnose this condition, sleep scientists will record the number of episodes of slow or stopped breathing as well as the oxygen levels in the blood.
Furthermore, if you fear that you or a loved one is suffering from sleep apnea, look for the symptoms first before heading to the doctor. These include chronic fatigue, loud snoring or choking while sleeping, and mood swings. You’ll be glad you did, as the effects of untreated sleep apnea can be harmful and even lethal if left untreated.
What are the Long-Term Consequences?
While the biggest short-term consequence includes a loss of productivity, focus, and motivation to work due to fatigue, there are several health issues that can also come from sleep apnea. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, patients with untreated sleep apnea have an increased risk in many disorders, including:
- Asthma
- Atrial fibrillation (the most common type of arrhythmia, a problem with the rate or rhythm of the heartbeat)
- Pancreatic, renal, and skin cancers
- Chronic kidney disease
- Eye disorders
- Metabolic disorders
Additionally, sleep apnea can cause inflammation that contributes to atherosclerosis. This is a disease that causes plaque buildup in blood vessels, increasing your risk of heart attack or stroke. Fortunately, because of this condition’s serious implications, there are many treatments to explore from your dentist in Sparks.
How is Sleep Apnea Treated?
Dentists can treat sleep apnea through a number of oral appliances and therapies. These treatments correct the obstruction in your airway and allow air to travel properly. With a cleared airway, your blood pressure stops going up and prevents you from chronically waking during the night.
Oral appliance therapy shifts your jaw forward, preventing snoring and sleep apnea incidents so you can stay asleep and, most importantly, achieve REM (deep) sleep that helps your body properly rejuvenate itself. You’d be surprised what mouthguards and oral appliances outside of a CPAP machine can solve.
To learn more about sleep apnea or to get diagnosed, schedule a consultation with your dentist in Sparks today. With them you can discuss the best and most affordable options out there to take back your night’s sleep.
About the Author
Dr. Marc Thomas earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Davis and eventually his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Pacific. After serving with the U.S. Army Dental Corp, he continued to stay up-to-date on the newest developments in his field to provide the best care possible to his patients. To learn more about him and sleep apnea treatments, contact him at (775) 626-3535 or visit his website.