More than half the people who have sleep apnea have never been diagnosed, according to the National Sleep Foundation. Based on current estimates, there could be close to 10 million people suffering from sleep apnea without realizing they have a treatable problem.
That estimate only counts people who actually have sleep apnea. It doesn’t take into account the family members, friends, and roommates who may be affected the symptoms of sleep apnea as well.
Whether you or someone you love has sleep apnea, Beaumont Family Dentistry wants to help. Today, we’ll explain the signs that you or someone you love could have sleep apnea. We’ll also explain why our dentist offices in Lexington, KY, are great places to get treatment for this sleep disorder.
Start by scheduling a consultation. Call the office closest to you or contact us by filling out our online form.
The Signs Of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder. It interferes with people’s ability to get a good night’s sleep. Knowing its symptoms can help you decide if you should make an appointment with one of our dentists soon.
Grab a piece of paper and make a note of the symptoms that sound familiar:
➤ Loud and persistent snoring — This is something that your spouse or partner may be more aware of than you. People with obstructive sleep apnea, in particular, are prone to constant snoring throughout the night.
You may have heard your loved ones complain about this without realizing how bad it really is.
➤ Frequent breathing stoppages — This is another issue you may not be aware of. Again, your spouse or partner may be more aware of it simply because he or she is awake (due to your snoring). These stoppages can occur from four to more than 30 times per hour when you are asleep.
➤ Frequent daytime sleepiness — This can be a direct result of the breathing stoppages. When you have sleep apnea, you stop breathing when you fall asleep. To combat this issue, your body will wake you up briefly so you can take a few breaths before you fall asleep again.
As a result, you rarely if ever reach the stage of deep sleep that health experts think we needed. Sleep deprivation can leave you feeling fatigued throughout the day, make it difficult to concentrate on a specific task, and more than double your risk of being in an automotive accident.
➤ Irritability — People are more prone to being in a bad mood when they don’t get enough sleep.
➤ High blood pressure — When your body is fighting to keep you alive (due to your breathing stoppages), it can release hormones that lead to high blood pressure. Coincidentally, people with sleep apnea are more likely to have cardiovascular disease, heart attacks, and strokes, too.
If those symptoms sound familiar, we strongly encourage to make an appointment at Beaumont Family Dentistry. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you have sleep apnea, but it does suggest it would be a good idea to have a sleep test to find out.
If your test shows you do have sleep apnea, we can help you get the treatment that you need.
Beaumont Family Dentistry Is A Good Place For Sleep Apnea Treatment
In 2006, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine added oral appliances as a primary treatment option for patients with mild or moderate sleep apnea. Oral appliances also can help people with severe sleep apnea who have difficulty using a sleep apnea machine.
Our own Dr. Patricia Takacs has been trained in treating sleep apnea. She has completed a residency in sleep medicine at Tufts University, and she is a member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine.
She can help you arrange a sleep test to determine if you have sleep apnea. If your sleep apnea is confirmed, we can design a custom-made oral appliance for you.
This appliance works by shifting your jaw forward slightly. This will you continue to breathe throughout the night so you can get the deep sleep that you need. In turn, it will reduce your snoring, and you might just find out what it feels like to wake up after a night of healthy, restful sleep.
Do You Want To Sleep Better?
Make an appointment soon at Beaumont Family Dentistry if you live in or near Lexington and you suspect that you may be suffering from sleep apnea. We will do everything we can do help you and your spouse get the sleep that you need and deserve.
Call or contact us online to schedule your consultation.