Category Archives: Sleep Apnea

Without Sleep Apnea Treatment, More Than Your Sleep Can Be Affected!

Posted by Genny Skrobanek on May 22, 2019

When you hear the term “sleep apnea”, do you immediately think of someone who snores loudly every night? (Does you think of your spouse too?) Disruptive and loud snoring is one of the tell-tale characteristics or symptoms of sleep apnea.

Without Sleep Apnea Treatment, More Than Your Sleep Can Be Affected! As sleep apnea is a dangerous and chronic disorder that if left untreated, may increase the risk of developing additional issues such as:

high blood pressure
heart disease
diabetes
complications during pregnancy
other health problems

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a chronic and relatively common disorder in which the sufferer will experience shallow or frequent pauses in breathing during an average night’s sleep.

The Signs & Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

Signs of sleep apnea are frequently indicated by:

explicitly loud snoring and/or breathing
insomnia and poor sleep
simultaneously experiencing progressively shallow wheezing
irregular breathing
frequent lapses in breathing patterns during sleep
frequent tiredness
irritability
difficulty concentrating while awake

Related Article: 10 Signs You May Have Sleep Apnea

Because these signs seem annoying to the sufferer and their sleeping partner, most people don’t realize they’re actually a much more serious health concern that may bring additional complications.

What happens to your body when you sleep (or try to sleep)?

As you rest, your body becomes less tense because your muscles relax. Sleep is the time when your body heals and repairs itself to prepare you for the following day. However, sleeping for some can be problematic especially for those with sleep apnea, because it limits their ability to rest and restore their bodies properly.

Primary symptoms of the disorder are irregular breathing, excessive snoring, and occasional breaks or pauses in breathing, which occur due to the complete relaxation of the throat muscles or airway blockage.

Other symptoms may include:

constant fatigue
depression
chronic headaches
high blood pressure
obesity
complications during pregnancy

If these symptoms are left dismissed, and sleep apnea persists, heart failure, heart attack, high blood pressure, stroke, death, and other serious health issues can result.

It may even be indicative of other serious underlying health issues such as:

diabetes
neurological illness
mental illness
heart disease

What Are Sleep Apnea Causes?

The overall success in treating sleep apnea remains relatively high; however, the rate of success depends heavily on finding the exact cause of the disorder and selecting the best method of treatment.

Various causes can contribute to sleep apnea. However, one of the most common causes of this disorder is obesity; as fat deposits that accumulate around the neck place pressure on the throat, limiting the body’s ability to breathe sufficiently. Large tonsils are also a cause of sleep apnea as they tend to obstruct the passage of air into and out of the body.

Other sleep apnea causes include premature births and genetic syndromes that impact facial structures such as congenital central hypoventilation syndrome. Heart and kidney failure, PCOS, hypothyroidism, and conditions that interfere with the brain’s signals can also contribute to a person’s development of sleep apnea.

Big Three: Types of Sleep Apnea

While usually following a similar pattern, identifying and classifying your specific type of sleep apnea is indeed a crucial part of resolving the disorder, as sleep apnea can have multiple causes, and can manifest itself in several different variations.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea:

Obstructive sleep (or OSA) apnea is without doubt, the most common form of sleep apnea, as it affects approximately 3.6 million Americans today. However, despite such staggering statistics, it is believed that only 10% of those suffering from OSA recognize the symptoms and actively seek treatment for the condition, thereby leaving most suffers untreated.

Some of the signs and symptoms of OSA are:

Noticeably loud snoring
Headaches
Dry mouth
Excessive drowsiness or sleepiness throughout the day
Repeated shortness of breath (abrupt awakenings) while asleep

Generally, the root cause of OSA, is attributed to relaxation of muscles while asleep, during which the tongue may cause a partial blockage of a person’s airway.

Central Sleep Apnea:

As opposed to being something of a mechanical problem like OSA, central sleep apnea (or CSA) is more of a muscle signal or miscommunication problem that originates within the brainstem. Although considerably less prevalent than OSA, CSA should not be taken lightly as it may likely be indicative of serious underlying health issues such as heart failure or Parkinson’s disease.

Common symptoms of CSA may include:

Chronic fatigue
Poor concentration
Depression
Snoring
Shortness of breath
Repeated abrupt awaking

With the central nervous system compromised, both voluntary and involuntary muscle movement becomes increasingly restricted, therefore causing interruptions in involuntary actions such as breathing. This can be particularly problematic during sleep, as the suffer may repeatedly experience abrupt awakenings while attempting to rest, as a natural reaction to the sudden lack of oxygen.

Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome:

The final and as its name implies, most severe and advanced form of sleep apnea is complex or mixed sleep apnea syndrome. Complex sleep apnea (or perhaps more appropriately referred to as Mixed Sleep Apnea) is a combination for both OSA and CSA, and typically presents symptoms of both. Often in the cases of complex sleep apnea, a sufferer should seek immediate treatment as the standard of living with this condition may deteriorate rapidly. (e.g. going for too long without the adequate amount of sleep).

How Can Sleep Apnea Be Cured?

Thanks to a combined effort from both professional dentistry as well as the general and specialized fields of orthodontic and respiratory therapy research, signs of sleep apnea can be identified and treated in several ways.

Mask or Mouth Guard? Finding the Right Solution for You

Sleep Apnea Solution: CPAP Mask

There are treatments available to combat the difficulties of sleep apnea. One of the most common forms is the CPAP mask. A Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machine is used to deliver continuous air pressure to the throat, eliminating the blockage of breath that results when the throat collapses. This apparatus has proven to be beneficial for many sufferers of sleep apnea.

To combat and alleviate the various issues caused by sleep apnea, the Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machine, (better known as the “CPAP Mask”) was developed during the early 1980s. Being the only device of its kind at the time, the CPAP mask has been widely successful since its inception and continues to be the most commonly used therapy when treating the disorder.

Despite its undeniable success, the CPAP mask is not without its flaws as the cumbersome and somewhat awkward facial apparatus has been known to cause varying degrees of discomfort, thus leading to a less then desirable or even intolerable experience among some users.

Sleep Apnea Solution: Mouth Guard

For several years now, the Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machine (or CPAP mask) has been the “go to therapy” among sufferers of sleep apnea. While this device has proven itself as an extremely effective method of treatment, many people who suffer simply cannot tolerate the awkward and sometimes uncomfortable facial apparatus and may require an alternative type of treatment. Therefore, to accommodate patients with this issue, the dental community has developed a less invasive alternative treatment; a custom mouthguard!

A custom mouth guard closely resembles a sports mouth guard. A Mandibular Advancement Device, or a MAD mouthguard, is designed to realign the jaw. For those with obstructive sleep apnea, this device aids in preventing any obstruction of airflow. It provides better sleep and limits symptoms of loud snoring, wheezing, cessation of breathing, and other factors that impede a successful night’s rest.

While historically a mouthguard is best known for being an essential piece of equipment for athletes in various sports; however, more recently they have become known serving another important purpose. This purpose, (of course) is providing an alternative method in the ever-consistent battle against sleep apnea.

However, unlike the sports mouth-guard, the unique MAD mouth guard is designed to shift forward and re-position your jaw, thus preventing the tongue (or anything else) from obstructing and blocking airflow. This not only reduces the signs of sleep apnea, including excessive snoring and wheezing during sleep, but also allows the sufferer to experience a much deeper and uninterrupted nightly rest, thus significantly improving the health and overall well being of the individual!

GPS Dental Can Help Those with Sleep Apnea

At GPS Dental, we have helped many patients suffering from sleep apnea for several years now and look to continue doing so as the annual number of sleep apnea suffers within the U.S. continues to increase.

If this sounds like you, come see us here at GPS Dental as by visiting our offices, Dr. Skrobanek can assess your sleep apnea and determine if the MAD appliance is right for you!

Related Article: Sleep Apnea Treatment in San Antonio

Read more sleep apnea blogs by GPS Dental.

Dr. Gary P. Skrobanek’s experienced and friendly team at GPS Dental offers family dentistry for all ages in San Antonio, TX area. Our Brooks City Base dentist office is conveniently located and offers early morning appointment times Monday through Friday to meet your needs. At GPS Dental, we promote dental health awareness to our patients and provide most dental services, from family and general dentistry to dental implants, sleep apnea, TMJ / TMD Treatment, cosmetic dentistry and much more. We accept most dental insurance plans and offer affordable financial solutions for any budget. Call us at 210-633-3477 to make an appointment.

Sleep Apnea Causes, Symptoms and Cures

Posted by Genny Skrobanek on January 8, 2019

sleep-apnea-causes

Sleep is vital for good health. It allows the body to heal and restore itself. Without rest, people are unable to function. Sleep apnea is a condition that limits the rest people get because they are woken up repeatedly throughout the night by their inability to breathe.

When sleep apnea persists, it is incredibly disruptive to the lifestyle of not only the sufferer but the people within their household as well. Continue reading to discover sleep apnea causes, symptoms, and cures.

What Are Sleep Apnea Causes?

Various causes can contribute to sleep apnea. However, one of the most common sleep apnea causes of this disorder is obesity, as fat deposits that accumulate around the neck place pressure on the throat, limiting the body’s ability to breathe sufficiently. Large tonsils are also a cause of sleep apnea as they tend to obstruct the passage of air into and out of the body.

Types of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is divided into two main forms: obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs during the period of rest when the body and its muscles begin to relax. As relaxation sets in, the throat collapses, and for those with sleep apnea, the airway is blocked. Once the airway is blocked, the person cannot breathe and is awoken.

Central sleep apnea is the brain failing to communicate with the muscles responsible for breathing. This type of sleep apnea is an indication that the body is not fully coordinated, and something is amiss, as the brain is unable to control breathing properly.

What Are the Symptoms of Sleep Apnea?

An array of symptoms will present themselves with sleep apnea. You may notice that you or a loved one experience:

Loud and persistent snoring
Insomnia & poor sleep
Frequent tiredness
Moments of silence accompanied with choking or gasping while sleeping
Irritability
Difficulty concentrating while awake

How Can Sleep Apnea Be Cured?

Receiving treatment for sleep apnea is imperative. Disregarding the condition can cause extensive health problems such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, erectile dysfunction, and more.

You can try oral appliances to control this disorder. Your dentist may suggest a mouth guard that can be worn at night to support the jaw, limit any obstructions of the airway, and allow you to breathe correctly while sleeping.

GPS Dental Can Help Those with Sleep Apnea

If you are suffering from sleep apnea and are seeking treatment, we encourage you to reach out to Dr. Gary P. Skrobanek. For more information on how you can benefit from an oral appliance while sleeping, contact GPS Dental. Our professionals look forward to speaking with you.

Dr. Gary P. Skrobanek’s experienced and friendly team at GPS Dental offers family dentistry for all ages in San Antonio, TX area. Our Brooks City Base dentist office is conveniently located and offers early morning appointment times Monday through Friday to meet your needs. At GPS Dental, we promote dental health awareness to our patients and provide most dental services, from family and general dentistry to dental implants, sleep apnea, TMJ / TMD Treatment, cosmetic dentistry and much more. We accept most dental insurance plans and offer affordable financial solutions for any budget. Call us at 210-633-3477 to make an appointment.

How Would You Know if You Suffer from Sleep Apnea?

Posted by Genny Skrobanek on November 13, 2018

sleep-apnea

Do You Suffer from Sleep Apnea?

How Would You Know and What Can You Do?

Sleep apnea affects many people. It is a condition marked by the continual cessation of breathing while sleeping. This interruption in a person’s breathing is often caused by the obstruction of the upper airway, known as obstructive sleep apnea. It is also caused by central sleep apnea, which is the brain’s inability to signal muscles to continue breathing while you rest.

Do you suffer from sleep apnea? Sleep apnea is a severe sleeping disorder that if left ignored, can result in sudden cardiac death.

Sleep is crucial to your well being, and you will notice adverse impacts to your health if sleep apnea continues. If you believe you are dealing with this disorder and wish to discover more information about it, then keep reading to learn symptoms and treatments.

What Are the Symptoms and Health Concerns of Sleep Apnea?

As you rest, your body becomes less tense because your muscles relax. Sleep is the time when your body heals and repairs itself to prepare you for the following day. However, sleeping for some can be problematic especially for those with sleep apnea, as it limits their ability to rest and restore their bodies properly.

Constant fatigue
Depression
Chronic headaches
High blood pressure
Obesity

If these symptoms are left dismissed, and sleep apnea persists, heart failure, heart attack, high blood pressure, stroke, death, and other serious health issues can result.

What Can I Do to Cure Sleep Apnea?

An alternative to the CPAP mask is the use of a mouth guard, which closely resembles a sports mouth guard. A Mandibular Advancement Device, or a MAD mouthguard, is designed to realign the jaw. For those with obstructive sleep apnea, this device aids in preventing any obstruction of airflow. It provides better sleep and limits symptoms of loud snoring, wheezing, cessation of breathing, and other factors that impede a successful night’s rest.

GPS Dental Can Help Alleviate the Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

At GPS Dental, our professionals are fully trained and equipped to help patients suffering from sleep apnea. Dr. Gary Skrobanek is a member of the San Antonio District Dental Society, Texas Dental Association, and American Dental Association. Dr. Skrobanek also has a membership with the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, a society that studies dental therapies for sleep disturbances. With this level of expertise in sleep disorders, GPS Dental is prepared to treat all cases of sleep apnea. If you’d like to book an appointment or gain more insight into this condition, contact us.

Signs of Sleep Apnea: The Bedtime Battle!

Posted by Genny Skrobanek on June 12, 2018

With long hours spent at work, and the sometimes-grueling daily grind in today’s workforce, it’s easy to see why bedtime is such a welcomed time of day for many people. However, signs of sleep apnea can cause constant interruptions in one’s rest that can quickly turn this time of relaxation into an exhausting, nightly battle for sleep! Certainly, such a scenario sounds like a nightmare; however, for those suffering from sleep apnea, this nightmare is an unfortunate reality as those afflicted must endure this bedtime battle on a regular basis!

The Signs of Sleep Apnea

Although still somewhat unfamiliar to the general populace (and often unknown to non-sufferers) sleep apnea is actually a relatively common sleep disorder that affects approximately 3.6 million people in the U.S. today. Signs of sleep apnea are frequently indicated by:

explicitly loud snoring and/or breathing
simultaneously experiencing progressively shallow wheezing
irregular breathing
frequent lapses in breathing patterns during sleep

Related Article: 10 Signs You May Have Sleep Apnea

Due to this, the signs of sleep apnea are frequently characterized incorrectly as simply a nuisance; a nuisance generally experienced by the sleeping partner of the sufferer rather than the sufferer themselves.

Unfortunately, the issues associated with sleep apnea run much deeper than that, as it is a chronic disorder that can develop into a serious health concern with far-reaching complications. Such symptoms, issues and signs of sleep apnea may include the development or worsening of conditions such as:

chronic headaches
heightened blood pressure
depression
chronic fatigue
complications during pregnancy

It may even be indicative of other serious underlying health issues such as diabetes, neurological illness, mental illness, or heart disease.

While sleep apnea can certainly be a problematic disorder if left unchecked or improperly treated, fortunately thanks to combined effort from both professional dentistry as well the general and specialized fields of orthodontic and respiratory therapy research, signs of sleep apnea can be identified and treated in several ways. Although the overall success in treating sleep apnea remains relatively high, the rate of success depends heavily on finding the exact cause of the disorder, and therefore select the appropriate method of treatment.

Types & Triggers: What Causing Your Sleep Apnea?

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Unquestionably, the most common variation of the disorder is known as Obstructive Sleep Apnea and as its name implies, indicates an obstruction or blockage within the sufferer’s airway. This occurs as result of muscle relaxation causing the tongue to inadvertently cover and block off the airway, thereby hindering the flow of air.

Central Sleep Apnea

Central Sleep Apnea is another distinct (but much less common) variation of sleep apnea, which is triggered from a highly different source altogether. Contrasting heavily to the before-mentioned obstructive sleep apnea, Central Sleep Apnea originates within the brain stem of the afflicted individual, and directly affects the central nervous system’s ability to transmit signals throughout the body.

Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome

Certainly, both aforementioned types of sleep apnea can present a whole slew of problems in terms of one’s physical and mental well-being. Unfortunately for a certain number of sleep apnea suffers, the disorder can even evolve into a compound issue, in which they develop what’s known as Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome.

Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome, (or perhaps more appropriately referred to as Mixed Sleep Apnea) is the simultaneous manifestation of both Obstructive and Central Sleep Apnea. Obviously, this is considered to be the most severe variation of sleep apnea, and while cases of Complex Sleep Apnea are exceptionally rare, it can occur if sleep apnea is improperly treated, or by interference of additional health issues or outside circumstances.

Mask or Mouth Guard? Finding the Right Solution for You

Sleep Apnea Solution: CPAP Mask

Sleep Apnea Solution: Mouth Guard

Therefore, to accommodate those with this issue, and provide sleep apnea sufferers with an alternative treatment method, the dental industry has introduced a new type of mouth guard to be used to manage the affliction.

Used primarily in treating the much more common Obstructive Sleep Apnea, the Mandibular Advancement Device (or MAD mouthguard as its often called) is a night-time mouth guard that at first glance, resembles a standard sports mouth guard in general appearance. However, unlike the sports mouth-guard, the unique MAD mouth guard is designed to shift forward and re-position your jaw, thus preventing the tongue (or anything else) from obstructing and blocking airflow. This not only reduces the signs of sleep apnea, including excessive snoring and wheezing during sleep, but also allows the sufferer to experience a much deeper and uninterrupted nightly rest, thus significantly improving the health and overall well being of the individual!

Surviving Sleep Apnea: You CAN Do It! We CAN Help!

At GPS Dental, we have helped many patients suffering from sleep apnea for a several years now and look to continue doing so as the annual number of sleep apnea suffers within the U.S. continues to remain largely stagnant.

As human beings, we are an active, intelligent, and highly successful species; however, when robbed of the necessary amount of sleep, our bodies’ natural ability to function is severely hindered. Simply put, you NEED your sleep, and with an ongoing issue like sleep apnea, getting a good nights sleep can be almost impossible!

If this sounds like you, come see us here at GPS Dental as by visiting our offices, Dr. Skrobanek can assess your sleep apnea and determine if the MAD appliance is right for you!

Related Article: Sleep Apnea Treatment in San Antonio

Dr. Gary P. Skrobanek is an expert in sleep apnea and would like to discuss your signs of sleep apnea at your consultation or dental appointment. His experienced, friendly team at GPS Dental offers affordable dentistry and gentle family dental care in the San Antonio, TX area. Our Brooks City Base dentist office is conveniently located and offers early morning appointment times Monday through Friday to meet your needs. At GPS Dental, we provide most dental services, from family and general dentistry to dental implants, sleep apnea, TMJ / TMD Treatment, cosmetic dentistry and much more. We accept most dental insurance plans and offer affordable financial solutions for any budget. Call us at (210) 633-3477 to make an appointment.

Get Some Sleep: Custom Mouthguard for Sleep Apnea

Posted by Genny Skrobanek on March 13, 2018

Custom Mouthguards: Not Just for Sport!

We know that when one hears the term custom mouthguard, typically the first thing that comes to mind is protecting your teeth during sports. However, although they may look relatively similar to a sports mouthguard, the Mandibular Advancement Device (or MAD as we call it) is a unique, nighttime mouthguard that fits directly over your upper and lower jaw. The purpose of the MAD is to pull forward and re-position your jaw into maintaining an unobstructed airway, hereby reducing snoring and drastically improving your breathing while you sleep.

While there are a growing number of patients who can attribute to the overall effectiveness of the MAD or custom mouthguard, perhaps few can attest to its prowess better than our own Genny Skrobanek!

As wife of Dr. Gary Skrobanek, Genny is certainly familiar with some of the recent innovations in dental technology, and how they can have a major impact on the lives of those whom they benefit. Previously Genny had shared with us, a personal experience in which she expressed how grateful she was her for husband’s oral appliance (or custom mouthguard), as Dr. Skrobanek himself was once a snorer! Genny also recalled her father’s snoring during her childhood, citing his ability to “wake up the whole house” with his persistently loud wheezing. Although, her father’s snoring issues have largely diminished since receiving his MAD appliance. While vacationing recently, Genny’s mother was awoken buy the sound of loud snoring, only to discover that instead of being able to blame her husband, the snoring was in fact hers! Because of this, Genny’s mother knows it’s time to be fitted for a MAD appliance of her own!

What is Sleep Apnea?

Despite being a somewhat new term amongst the general public, sleep apnea is relatively common sleep disorder that affects many people across the globe. Often characterized by noticeably loud and disruptive snoring, sleep apnea is a chronic disorder in which the sufferer will experience shallow or frequent pauses in breathing during an average night’s sleep. Although initially appearing as little more than a nuisance and perhaps an issue amongst sleeping partners, sleep apnea can be a potentially serious health concern that may increase the risk of developing additional issues such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, complications during pregnancy, and a slew of additional problems.

The Big Three: The Different Types of Sleep Apnea

Although the disorder is classified as sleep apnea in a general sense, there are in fact three different variations of sleep apnea, and each of which may affect the sufferer in specific ways.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea:

Some of the signs and symptoms of OSA are:

Noticeably loud snoring
Headaches
Dry mouth
Excessive drowsiness or sleepiness throughout the day
Repeated shortness of breath (abrupt awakenings) while asleep

Generally, the root cause of OSA, is attributed to relaxation of muscles while asleep, during which the tongue may cause a partial blockage of a person’s airway.

Central Sleep Apnea:

Common symptoms of CSA may include:

Chronic fatigue
Poor concentration
Depression
Snoring
Shortness of breath
Repeated abrupt awaking

Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome:

The final and as its name implies, most severe and advanced form of sleep apnea is complex or mixed sleep apnea syndrome. Complex sleep apnea is a combination for both OSA and CSA, and typically presents symptoms of both. Often in the cases of complex sleep apnea, a sufferer should seek immediate treatment as the standard of living with this condition may deteriorate rapidly. (e.g. going for too long without the adequate amount of sleep).

Custom Mouthguard: Get MAD … but not literally

As human beings, we are an active, intelligent, and highly successful species, however when robbed of the necessary amount of sleep, our bodies’ natural ability to function is severely hindered. Simply put, you NEED your sleep, and with an ongoing issue like sleep apnea, getting a goodnight’s sleep can be almost impossible!

While the CPAP machine remains the most effective tool in treating the more advanced cases of sleep apnea, (such as complex sleep apnea) if the machine doesn’t work for you, then maybe is time to get MAD! By visiting us at GPS Dental, Dr. Skrobanek can fit you with your very own customized MAD appliance. This custom mouthguard will be both durable and comfortable to use and is usually covered by most insurance plans.

Everyone deserves a goodnight’s sleep, so if the MAD custom mouthguard sounds like the right solution for your sleep apnea, come see us … we can help you!

Dr. Gary P. Skrobanek and his experienced, friendly team at GPS Dental offer affordable family dentistry and gentle dental care in the San Antonio, TX area. Our Brooks City Base dentist office is conveniently located and offers early morning appointment times Monday through Friday to meet your needs. At GPS Dental, we provide most dental services, from family and general dentistry to dental implants, sleep apnea, TMJ / TMD Treatment, cosmetic dentistry and much more. We accept most dental insurance plans and offer affordable financial solutions for any budget. Call us at (210) 633-3477 to make an appointment.

Custom Mouthguards help Sleep Apnea

Posted by Genny Skrobanek on December 12, 2017

Sleep Apnea Symptoms: 10 Signs You May Have Sleep Apnea

Lack of sleep is reaching epidemic levels in the United States and much of the sleeplessness that we are experiencing is self-induced; from late-night TV to the blue glow of late-night screen time with your favorite device. I guess you can call it techy-induced insomnia. Our world has quickly changed due to the evolution of technology and many feel it is a main cause of a disorder known as Sleep Apnea. Many times this disorder is improperly diagnosed as insomnia. Over 20 million Americans suffer from Sleep Apnea, but almost 90% of people who have Sleep Apnea are undiagnosed.

Here are a couple of eye-popping statistics about people who suffer from Sleep Apnea:

People with sleep apnea are twice as likely to crash and die in a car accident
People with sleep apnea also have a 30% higher risk of dying from a heart attack

The most common type of sleep apnea is called Obstructive Sleep Apnea. It can set off a chain reaction of negative health conditions that include stroke, depression, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, depression … the list goes on and on.

It’s important to pay attention to signs or symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea to know if you should find help.

Here are ten signs that you might have sleep apnea:

1. Excessive and persistent snoring

Does your snoring wake you up in the middle of the night? Or does it wake the person sleeping next to you up at night? Does the snoring sound like a lawnmower? Is it extremely loud? This type of excessive snoring is the first sign of sleep apnea. This is because there is an obstruction in the respiratory tract, which is pretty much the definition of sleep apnea.

Of course, just because you snore doesn’t mean you have sleep apnea. A lot of people snore and a lot of them snore loudly. It’s just a sign that if you have excessive, loud snoring, you should talk to Dr. Skrobanek about it during your next dental appointment.

2. Obesity

In the U.S., obesity rates are out of this world and approximately 65% of Americans are obese or overweight. We lead a much more sedentary lifestyle than our ancestors did. One hundred years ago, our population was very active. They were laborers, farmers and field workers. And they ate real food; not processed food and definitely not fast food. Our lifestyle is wreaking havoc on our health as a nation and on our waist line.

However, researchers believe that the heavier someone is, the larger their neck is, which could increase a person’s chances of developing sleep apnea.

3. Always feeling tired

Regardless of how long you sleep each night, do you wake up still feeling tired? Is it hard to stay awake during a meeting at work or while you’re driving? Chronic fatigue is another very common sign of sleep apnea. Especially if you are consistently feeling like you’ve had a bad night of sleep.

You may not realize that you’re having multiple pauses in your breathing every night, which can keep from getting into that deep sleep your body needs. If this is the case, your body thinks you’re taking a light cat nap instead of getting 7 to 8 hours of restful, deep sleep. Make sure to let Dr. Skrobanek know at your next dental appointment if you’re more tired than normal.

4. Night sweats

Do you wake up in the middle of the night dripping in sweat? It could have been a nightmare and it could because you have sleep apnea. Your body goes into hyper-drive each time you stop breathing or have when is commonly referred to as an apnea. Essentially your body is fighting to get air and causing night sweats. Or because you’re lacking oxygen and missing breaths, your body is in fight or flight mode of panic. Either way, you’re waking up from night sweats and you could be suffering from sleep apnea.

5. Continually waking up at night

Sometimes people with obstructive sleep apnea can experience hundreds of breathing pauses during the night. Each time this happens, your body is waking you up and causing you to be tired the next day. This can be one of the most damaging signs of sleep apnea, because it’s causing your body to not get the deep sleep it desperately needs.

6. Frequent nighttime urination

Are you waking up several times during the middle of the night to go to the bathroom? Most people can sleep for 7 to 8 hours during the night without having to urinate; however, if you are suffering from sleep apnea, getting up multiple times every night to go to the bathroom is definitely a tell-tale sign.

Researchers believe that frequent nighttime urination is caused by a disruption in the circadian rhythm that regulates your sleep patterns. So, you’re in a vicious circle of waking up gasping for air and needing to urinate.

7. Morning headaches

Do you wake up in the morning with a headache on a regular basis? If so, you could be suffering from sleep apnea. Deep, painful, throbbing headaches can be caused from an increased amount of carbon dioxide in your bloodstream, due to a lack of oxygen. The excess carbon dioxide that is being trapped in the blood vessels around your head is causing you to wake up with a headache. They usually occur on both sides of the head, instead of just on one side. Make sure to mention this to Dr. Skrobanek at your next dental appointment.

8. Waking up with a sore throat or dry mouth

All of your snoring and struggles to breathe each night can wreak havoc on your respiratory tract and can cause you to wake up each morning with an extremely dry mouth or sore throat. The tendency to sleep with your mouth open is a habit of people who suffer from sleep apnea.

9. Irritable, anxious and depressed

Not getting enough sleep can make us irritable and anxious. A poor night’s sleep can release a hormone into your body called cortisol, which increases your stress levels and can cause depression. Yes, this is yet another sign that you could be suffering from sleep apnea, especially if you don’t have other medical conditions.

10. Diabetes

Studies show that nearly 50% of people who suffer from diabetes also suffer from sleep apnea. So, researchers believe there is link between sleep apnea and type-2 diabetes. Why is this so prevalent? This percentage is so high, because sleep apnea can cause severe disruptions in blood sugar levels. This is caused because when you get less sleep, your body processes less glucose. So, if you have sleep apnea, there is a good chance you have or will be diagnosed with diabetes. And, if you have diabetes, you have a higher chance of suffering from sleep apnea.

Dr. Skrobanek can help …

Believe it or not, dentists can be the first healthcare professional to see the signs of disease, which is one of the main reasons you should always make your twice a year dental appointments a high priority for you and your family.

Dr. Skrobanek at GPS Dental and his team of experts makes it one of their top priorities to help each of their patients have the best oral health possible. Oral health is one of your best defenses in keeping the rest of your body healthy.

Now what do I do?

If you’re suffering from any of these signs of sleep apnea, please alert Dr. Skrobanek. Having the proper information can help him get you proper treatment. Many people can be treated for sleep apnea by wearing custom mouthguards when they sleep. In fact, there are over 100 sleep appliances that are FDA approved to help this very common disorder and Dr. Skrobanek will determine which is best for you.

Related Information: Sleep Apnea Treatment in San Antonio

Custom mouthguards can help!

Custom mouthguards, or oral appliance therapy, is a very effective treatment for snoring and sleep apnea. The mouthguard is worn while you sleep and fits like an orthodontic retainer. These devices support your jaw to help you maintain an open upper airway while you sleep.

Related Article: Wake UP Gary!! Put in Your Mouthguard!!

Custom mouthguards or oral appliance therapy is covered by many insurance plans and the team at GPS Dental can help answer any questions you may have about your coverage.

What is Sleep Apnea?

The Signs & Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

What happens to your body when you sleep (or try to sleep)?

What Are Sleep Apnea Causes?