When you have sleep apnea, this can leave you feeling tired and suffering from chronic snoring and moodiness. But did you know that over time, the disorder can also impact your health? The experts at our Tampa, FL, sleep center want to talk about the impact the disorder can have on your sleep, and how we can help!
The Causes and Risk Factors of Sleep Apnea
What causes sleep apnea? The disorder occurs when as you sleep, the soft tissues in the throat and rear of your mouth become too relaxed and then collapse. This collapse blocks airflow and causes you to stop breathing briefly. The brain wakes you, interrupting your REM sleep, often multiple times a night. This can impact all ages and genders, but men 55 and older tend to have the highest risk. Possible factors include obesity, large neck circumferences, sinus and allergy issues, deviated septum, excessive alcohol consumption, and resting on your back instead of your side. Without treatment, the disorder can have serious complications for your smile!
The Common Risks to Your Health
Without treatment, this can lead to issues with your memory and could make concentrating on tasks at work or school a difficult prospect. Over time, this can strain your immune system to leave you more vulnerable to illness. The risk of type-2 diabetes is higher, as is asthma. The stress on your cardiovascular system could boost the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and heart attack. Which is why you should see us for treatment when you encounter common symptoms, such as snoring, waking in the night choking or gasping for air, moodiness, dry mouth, headaches, and daytime exhaustion.
How We Help
Our team will ask you about sleep habits and risk factors, and also carefully examine your smile and oral structures. We may send you home with a unique device that you wear during sleep, which then records any apneic episodes and allows us to make a diagnosis and plan treatment with periodontics. For many, treatment is possible with an oral appliance, a CPAP alternative that fits comfortably and provides treatment with precision. The device is simple to use and easy to maintain, and helps you rest without interruption and avoid sleep apnea symptoms.
If you have any questions about how we can help you sleep better with a custom, oral appliance then contact our team today to learn more.
Talk To Your Tampa, FL Dentist About Sleeping Well
Our team wants to help you sleep easily again, often with a CPAP alternative that is comfortable and provides treatment with precision. For more information on obtaining a good night’s rest again, call our Tampa, FL treatment office today at (813) 640-4086.