4 Seasons Sleep explains that sleep apnea, a condition characterized by interrupted breathing during sleep, is more than just a nuisance. It can have serious implications for your health and overall well-being.
Dental Sleep Medicine in Milton-Freewater
Dental sleep medicine, a specialized field within dentistry, has emerged as a crucial player in addressing this issue. It offers solutions that can significantly improve your quality of life.
How OSA Can Affect Your Life and Everyone Else’s
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the most common form of sleep apnea, occurs when the muscles in the throat relax excessively during sleep. This causes the airway to become blocked resulting in shallow breathing or pauses in breathing. As you can imagine this disrupts the sleep cycle and reducing oxygen levels in your body.
The Problem with Sleep Apnea
One of the primary concerns associated with untreated sleep apnea is its impact on cardiovascular health.
Dr. Todd Shroeder agrees that the repetitive drops in oxygen levels and fluctuations in blood pressure increase the risk of hypertension, heart disease, and stroke. Studies show a clear link between untreated sleep apnea and cardiovascular events.
In addition to cardiovascular issues, untreated sleep apnea can also lead to daytime fatigue and impaired cognitive function.
The fragmented sleep caused by frequent awakenings leave you feeling tired and during the day. This can impair concentration, memory, and overall cognitive function. Moreover it affects your performance at work or school and increases the risk of accidents.
Additional Problems with Untreated OSA
Untreated sleep apnea has been associated with a range of other health problems, including type 2 diabetes, depression, and weight gain.
The chronic sleep deprivation and metabolic disturbances resulting from untreated OSA can disrupt hormonal balance and appetite regulation. This contributes to weight gain and insulin resistance.
Fortunately, dental sleep medicine offers effective treatment options for sleep apnea. By collaborating with a qualified sleep apnea dentist you can access custom oral appliances designed to keep your airway open during sleep.
Oral Appliance Therapy
Oral appliances are comfortable, non-invasive, and easy to use. This makes them an attractive alternative to CPAP therapy.
By addressing the underlying cause of sleep apnea, these devices not only alleviate symptoms but also reduce the risk of associated health problems, improving overall quality of life.
Sleep apnea is a serious condition that can have significant consequences for health and well-being if left untreated.
Dental Sleep Medicine in Milton-Freewater
Dental sleep medicine from 4 Seasons offers effective solutions helping you manage your sleep apnea and enjoy a better quality of life.
If you suspect you may have sleep apnea, don’t hesitate to seek evaluation and treatment from a qualified professional.