Many people snore while they sleep. While those of us who do snore generally don’t believe it’s anything to be concerned about, snoring could be an indicator of something more serious, and is a regular symptom of sleep apnea – a condition in which a person’s breathing repeatedly stops for a brief moment before restarting.
Males are more likely to suffer from sleep apnea than females, but the condition can affect anyone, regardless of age or gender. Symptoms of sleep apnea include loud, chronic snoring, choking or gasping for breath during sleep, daytime tiredness, dry mouth and suffering from morning headaches. There are many other symptoms too, so any person suffering from sleep issues should consult with a doctor or dentist.
Sleep apnea can be caused by several underlying factors, and many sufferers of sleep apnea may consult their doctor for advice on how to cure the condition. While there are a host of medical factors to consider, dental factors can also be a cause of sleep apnea too, and so often consulting with a dentist can also help.
While there are a host of medical factors to consider, dental factors can also be a cause of sleep apnea too…
Some factors that can cause sleep apnea include being overweight, tobacco use or alcohol intake before bed-time, caffeine within two hours of going to bed, and a varied sleep pattern. Typical self-help cures include sleeping on one’s side, rather than on the back, propping up the head, using breathing strips and even sewing a round object into the back of one’s night time clothes to prevent rolling over.
Dental devices used by dentists include tongue retainers, which help prevent the tongue from rolling back into the patient’s mouth, blocking off airways and the mandibular realigner, which helps maximize the airway by bringing the lower jaw into alignment.
If a dental device doesn’t cure the issue of sleep apnea, the dentist may consider dental surgery. Typical surgeries include maximizing the size of the airways by removing tonsils, adenoids or excessive tissue from the back of the throat or the inside of the nose. The jaw can also be reconstructed to improve and enlarge the upper airway, maximizing air intake into the body.
Everyone needs a good night’s rest. While sleep apnea may be a disruptive element in the quest for a good sleep, there is help at hand.
If you’re experiencing sleep issues, consult Dr. Daggula in Arlington TX to schedule your consultation today.
