What is Sleep Apnea?
Basically, if you have sleep apnea, you experience pauses in your breathing, which is not a normal or regular sleep behavior. Irregular pauses can happen many times within an hour, and, each time your breathing stops you are awakened with a loud snort or a choking sound as your body demands you start breathing again.
I think of sleep apnea as the sleep robber
Sleep apnea is an ongoing condition that causes sleep problems; when your breathing pauses or becomes shallow, you’re often pushed out of the deep sleep you need into a lighter state of sleep. This lighter sleep state does give you the same quality of rest that you get from deep sleep and it can leave you feeling tired or sleepy during the course of the day, impacting your concentration, and productivity.
Unfortunately, sleep apnea often goes unnoticed because it happens while you are asleep. Doctors are unable to detect the disorder during routine during regular office visits, and tests cannot help diagnose the condition either.
There are two types of sleep apnea:
- Obstructive sleep apnea is most common. It occurs when the airway at the back of your throat is blocked, often resulting in loud snoring.
- Central sleep apnea is much less common. It occurs when your brain fails to signal the muscles that control regular breathing. Centeral sleep apnea sufferers rarely snore.
Sleep apnea can affect anyone: men, women, and children. Studies show that this condition may be inherited. It is also common among:
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- overweight individuals
- children with problem tonsils
- smokers
- people who suffer from allergies or sinus problems.
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People who suffer from sleep apnea often get complaints that their snoring keeps others awake.
Treat it before it harms you
Untreated sleep apnea can increase your risk of high blood pressure and stroke. Poor concentration, excessive daytime sleepiness and driving accidents are some of the adverse effects that are related to the condition.
Since the condition is caused by problems associated with your mouth, a dentist trained in sleep disorder dentistry can provide effective treatment.
Find out if sleep apnea is the cause of your fatugue
Although sleep apnea is treatable, the problem often goes unrecognized. People only become aware of it if they have been told. If you can’t get sleep the sleep you need, you may have sleep apnea.
Don’t wait for someone to tell you your snoring is keeping them awake, take my free on-line, no obligations sleep questionnaire. There’s no need to be alarmed sleep apnea can be treated by a dentist trained in sleep disorder dentistry. Take the test and get the rest you’ve been missing.