Sleep Apnea
Sleep has a significant impact on all aspects of your health and life. Healthy sleep can help you look, feel and perform your best. If you don’t sleep well, it can be harmful to your health and well-being. Obstructive sleep apnea is a widespread sleep problem that affects nearly 30 million adults in the U.S.
This condition can cause you to stop breathing many times a night for a few seconds to more than a minute. Sleep apnea occurs when your muscles relax while you sleep, which allows soft tissue to collapse and block your airway causing breathing pauses and reduced oxygen levels. These pauses are followed by brief awakenings which interrupt your sleep.
Common signs of sleep apnea are snoring and gasping or choking sounds while you sleep. You are more likely to have sleep apnea if you are overweight or have a narrow airway or misaligned jaw. It is also more common in men. Left untreated, sleep apnea can cause sleepiness and fatigue, headaches and memory loss.
One of the most common treatments is an oral appliance, similar to a mouth guard, that is worn while you sleep. Research shows that this is an effective treatment for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. This type of appliance will support your jaw in a position that will help to maintain an open upper airway.
If you believe you may have sleep apnea, make an appointment with Smile Dental Studio today by calling (916) 575-7536 to discuss your best treatment plan.
