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Sleep Apnea

By: Talia Ahoubim

What is Sleep Apnea and How Do I Know If I Suffer From It?

According to the National Sleep Foundation, over 18 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea, a sleep disorder characterized by a disturbance in breathing during sleep.

There are several types of sleep apnea. Obstructive Sleep Apnea is the most prominent type of sleep apnea, and it is marked by the failure of the muscles in the back of the throat to keep the airway open during breathing.

There are several signs and symptoms that point to Sleep Apnea in which you should be aware of, and these symptoms include the following:

• Loud and bothersome snoring.
• Waking up in the middle of the night gasping for air.
• Headaches in the morning.
• Extreme fatigue and drowsiness during and throughout the day.
• Instances in which you stop breathing for a certain period of time while sleeping.
• Difficulty staying asleep.

It is important to note that some individuals are more prone to sleep apnea than others. For example, excess weight greatly increases the risk of developing this sleep disorder. This is evident in how this excess fat can deposit around one’s upper airway, which can negatively affect breathing. Additionally, one’s family history, such as someone in their family having sleep apnea, can affect their chances of developing this sleep disorder as well. Smokers also have a greater chance of developing sleep apnea, since smoking corresponds to an increase in inflammation as well as fluid retention in the upper airway. Lastly, age is an important factor, and middle-aged individuals are more prone to this.

Why You Should Seek Treatment

If you can confirm that you have any of the symptoms mentioned above, it is important to get tested for Sleep Apnea and seek treatment. If not treated, sleep apnea may increase your risk for the following disorders:

• Asthma
• Chronic Kidney Disease
• Cancers, such as pancreatic, and renal cancer.
• Cognitive and behavioral disorders, such as decreases in attention, concentration, motor skills, and memory, as well as dementia in older adults.
• Sleep apnea in children has been associated with learning disabilities.
• Diseases of the heart and blood vessels, such as heart failure, heart attacks, difficult-to-control high blood pressure, and strokes.
• Eye disorders, such as glaucoma or dry eye.
• Metabolic disorders, including glucose intolerance and type 2 diabetes.
• Pregnancy complications, including gestational high blood pressure and diabetes as well as the possibility of delivering a baby with a low birth weight.

What We Offer in our Office

Dr. Sharon offers an at-home portable sleep test, which consists of a machine that you can use in the comfort of your own bed as you are sleeping. The sleep study monitors a wide range of functions pertaining to sleep, including sleep state, eye movement, heart rate, respiratory effort, airflow, and blood oxygen levels. Not only does this test diagnose sleep apnea, but it also determines the severity of your condition, including whether you suffer from mild, moderate, or severe sleep apnea

Upon conducting this test, our sleep specialist physician will go over your results, and our corporate wellness physician will evaluate you. Treatment may be as comfortable and as easy as a custom-fit dental appliance, administered by Dr. Sharon and created by our reliable dental lab. The appliance that we offer in our office is a good alternative to a CPAP device.

Testimonials

“I wake up feeling well-rested, like I had a deep and refreshing night’s sleep. My wife no longer complains about my snoring either.” – Frank A.

“Now that I have my sleep appliance, I can’t live without it. I no longer wake up with painful headaches. Instead, I wake up feeling rested and headache-free!” – Brian O.

“My fiance has been noticing that I am snoring less. I also feel more refreshed when I wake up.” – Talya R.

Contact Sweet Tooth Dental Center and schedule a consultation with Dr. Shamoiel. Sweet Tooth Dental Center’s specialist physician will guide you to a healthier life.