Unfortunately, there are many reasons why people don’t sleep well: late night work, a recorded television show, and a new baby to name only a few. For some, however, lack of rest is because of a sleep disorder, the most common of which is sleep apnea. Some 20 million American adults have sleep apnea and an estimated 80 percent are undiagnosed. The most common form of this condition is obstructive sleep apnea, when breathing is interrupted because soft tissue in the throat obstructs your airway. Luckily, there is a solution. With sleep apnea therapy in Grapevine, Dr. Martin diagnoses patients and prescribes a custom-fitted oral appliance to maintain and open airway.
Signs and Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
We wish we could just look at a patient and know whether or not they have sleep apnea. In truth, however, we need your help. There are seven signs and symptoms you may experience that can indicate sleep apnea. If you have any of the following, contact Smiles by Martin to schedule an appointment.
Loud Snoring
We all may snore occasionally, such as when we have a cold or allergies. However, if you snore loudly night after night, then this may be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea. Snoring is caused by the partial blockage of air as it moves through your airway. Not everyone who snores has sleep apnea and not everyone with sleep apnea snores. See your Grapevine dentist.
Pauses in Breath
If your bed partner has told you that your breathing frequently stops and then restarts with a snort, then you may have sleep apnea. This happens because when breathing stops, the oxygen level in your brain drops and your brain receives a signal to abruptly restart breathing.
Excessive Daytime Sleepiness
Excessive daytime sleepiness, or EDS, is marked by unusual daytime fatigue. Common symptoms of EDS are:
- Difficulty waking in the morning
- Feeling tired and lethargic during the day
- Needing to take a nap
- Difficulty concentrating
Headaches
Because sleep apnea causes the oxygen level in your blood to decrease, blood vessels may widen and cause vascular headaches. Along with EDS, this is usually the most frequent complaint among sleep apnea sufferers.
High Blood Pressure
Hypertension and sleep apnea often go hand-in-hand. Reduced oxygen levels in your blood cause your heart to work harder in order to pump an adequate amount of oxygen to your vital organs. Unfortunately, this tends to continue throughout the day even when you’re breathing normally. Consequently, high blood pressure develops.
Obesity
People who are overweight are more likely to have sleep apnea. Excess fatty tissue in the neck and throat can collapse around your airway and block normal breathing. For a men, a neck circumference of more than 17 inches and for women more than 16 inches means you have a higher risk of sleep apnea.
Irritability
If you notice that you are more irritable, anxious and even depressed, then the problem may be a lack of sleep. Losing quality sleep night after night can affect your mood.
For Sleep Apnea Therapy in Grapevine, Call Our Office
If you or someone you love is experiencing any of these signs or symptoms of sleep apnea, then please call Smiles by Martin to schedule a consultation.