You toss and turn, desperately trying to catch some shut-eye. But instead of peaceful slumber, you’re bombarded by a symphony of snores, not your own, but your partner’s. While an occasional snore might be a source of amusement (or annoyance!), persistent snoring could be a sign of something more serious and that something more serious is sleep apnea.
Is Snoring a Sign of Something More Serious?
Snoring occurs when air struggles to flow freely through your airway during sleep. This can be caused by a variety of factors, like enlarged tonsils, a deviated septum, or even allergies. However, if your snoring is accompanied by these additional symptoms, it’s crucial to seek professional help:
- Daytime sleepiness: You constantly feel tired, even after a full night’s sleep.
- Witnessed Apnea: Your partner notices pauses in your breathing during sleep.
- Morning headaches: You wake up with a persistent dull ache in your head.
- Mood swings: You experience irritability and frustration more frequently.
- Difficulty concentrating: You find it hard to focus throughout the day.
Sleep Apnea: The Underlying Cause of Heavy Snoring
Sleep apnea dentist Dr. Todd Schroeder explains that sleep apnea is a serious disorder characterized by repeated episodes where your breathing partially or completely stops during sleep. These pauses can occur hundreds of times a night, disrupting your sleep cycle and preventing your body from getting the oxygen it needs.
If left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to several health problems, including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and even diabetes.
Seeking Solutions: A Breath of Fresh Air
If you suspect you or your partner might have sleep apnea, consulting a doctor is the first step. Your physician can perform a sleep study to diagnose the condition and determine its severity.
For mild to moderate sleep apnea, Dr. Todd Schroeder, a sleep apnea dentist in Milton-Freewater, offers oral appliance therapy. This non-invasive treatment involves wearing a custom-made mouthpiece that gently holds your jaw forward, keeping your airway open during sleep.
4 Seasons Sleep & Dr. Todd Schroeder: Your Partners in a Good Night’s Sleep
4 Seasons Sleep in Milton-Freewater understands the importance of a good night’s sleep. This sleep apnea dentist offers a variety of sleep solutions that can help you and everyone else rest easier.
You can breathe easier and wake up feeling refreshed and revitalized with dental sleep medicine. Call or send a message and schedule a sleep apnea consultation with 4 Seasons Sleep. You and everyone else will be glad you did. Make the call today.