Many people snore, and while it might not necessarily be a big issue for lots of individuals, it can be a sign of a more significant issue. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) affects numerous people, and loud, disruptive snoring is one of the signs. While snoring, in and of itself, is not a big deal, when it is connected to OSA, it is indicative of problems within your throat and can not only disrupt the sleep of those you share a room with but can also drastically harm your own sleep cycle. In today’s blog, your Auburn Hills, MI dentist discusses sleep apnea and the ways we can help address and remedy it.
What Is OSA?
Sleep apnea is usually caused by the airways in your throat being blocked. If you suffer from this disorder, the muscles in the back of your throat relax too much while you sleep, causing you to momentarily stop breathing. While this just happens briefly, it triggers an alarm in your brain and causes you to wake up. Even though you only awaken briefly — mere seconds — your sleep cycle is disrupted every time it happens. Because you are already sleeping and the waking period is so brief, it is likely that you are not even aware it is occurring. In fact, a lot of individuals learn they have this particular sleep disorder from those that they share a room or bed with, due to the aforementioned excessive snoring. If you live alone, there is a good chance won’t be able to tell it’s affecting you until you are already experiencing its myriad harmful effects.
Why Is It Serious?
Because this cycle of waking up momentarily and falling back asleep can occur over a hundred times every night, those suffering from OSA are never truly getting a full, restful slumber— even if they are in bed for the entire evening. This consistent interruption of the sleep cycle can cause exhaustion, memory loss, elevated blood pressure, and more. Consider all the times you haven’t gotten enough sleep and the effects it has on your day; it is tough to function. If you notice the aforementioned symptoms despite being in bed for seemingly long enough, you could very well have obstructive sleep apnea.
Treatment Options
If you suspect that you are affected by OSA, we can assess your throat during an examination and determine if you do, in fact, suffer from this disorder. If we find that you do, we can create a custom-designed mouthguard that will adjust your jaw into the correct position as you sleep. This ultimately prevents the blockage of your airways, allowing you to get a good night’s sleep. The nightguard we craft is made specifically for you, so it will fit comfortably in your mouth.
Contact Us To Learn More
If you rarely wake up feeling rested or chronically snore, we advise you to contact Advanced Dental Concepts in Auburn Hills, MI by calling 248-852-1820.
