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Do you keep your husband, wife, or children up at night because of your loud and obnoxious snoring? Have you been told that there are times during your slumber when you stop breathing? These are just a couple of symptoms of a widespread disorder called sleep apnea. Sleep apnea presents itself in several ways. When you think about it, it can be pretty scary that there are times when you are asleep and unable to breathe. Even if it is just for a moment, there can be long-term health effects. If you are in the Greensboro, North Carolina area and seeking treatment for sleep apnea, please consider calling the doctors at Triad Dentistry.
If you are suffering from sleep apnea, it may seem like an issue that is a bigger problem for your partner you share a bed with than it is for yourself. After all, you are getting your nightly rest while they are awake due to your loud snoring or gasping. Sleep apnea is more than just a condition that leaves you feeling fatigued the next day. It can cause strain to your body, compromise your immune system, and even shorten your life. You cannot and should not ignore the symptoms.
One of the most significant side effects of sleep apnea is your inability to get a restful and deep night’s sleep. When you suffer from sleep apnea, your body cannot reach those deep zones of rest. You may wonder why people get less rest than you are more energized. It is because they are reaching those deeper zones of rest that allow the body to recover, repair, and recharge. 6 to 7 hours may be enough sleep for those people while you are getting nine and still not feeling rested.
If you are concerned with the quality of your sleep due to possible sleep apnea, you can talk to your dentist about a quality treatment to help alleviate the issue.
If you suffer from obstructive sleep apnea, your brain is being deprived of oxygen as you sleep. Some individuals who suffer from sleep apnea suffer from hundreds of nightly episodes where they cease to breathe, thus depriving their brain of oxygen for seconds at a time. When your brain begins to be deprived of oxygen, your body will start to tighten and wake itself up. Your blood pressure will rise. Your teeth could even start to grind, leading to other issues with as temporomandibular joint disorder, chronic headaches, or broken dental work.
Oxygen deprivation will also lead to you feeling fatigued. Fatigue can be catastrophic in certain circumstances. Dozing off behind the wheel of your vehicle, for instance, not only endangers yourself but others as well. You may find that work production drops due to decreased concentration. Your overall health will be affected if you allow the condition to continue untreated.
The longer you allow sleep apnea to go untreated, the likelihood is higher you will begin to experience a litany of health problems. Some of which can be life-threatening. If you suffer from common symptoms of sleep apnea, get examined. Undergo a sleep study. Look into quality treatment options. Whatever you do, it is better than doing nothing. Here are some common health side effects which can be directly linked to sleep apnea:
As you can see, sleep apnea does not just affect the quality of your sleep. It can quickly affect the quality of your life.
If you believe you are suffering from sleep apnea and would like to learn more about possible treatment, please reach out to our dentists and the team at Triad Dentistry in Greensboro, North Carolina, today by calling (336) 383-1482.