Sleep apnea is extremely common in the United States, with over 18 million adults experiencing a form of sleep apnea every night according to the National Sleep Foundation. Sleep apnea can be caused from multiple factors, such as obesity, large tonsils, a small airway, smoking, alcohol use, and more. Whatever the reason of sleep apnea, it causes pauses of breathing during a sleep cycle. This means that when you have sleep apnea, you could be waking up throughout the night and losing sleep.
More information about sleep apnea from the National Sleep Foundation.
Sleep Apnea Symptoms
When you lose sleep due to sleep apnea, you can experience a multitude of symptoms. We often associate loud snoring with sleep apnea, as it is sometimes a sign of breathing issues. If you or a loved one experiences any of these symptoms, it may be time to talk with your doctor and your dentist about sleep apnea.
Information from the Mayo Clinic and Types of Sleep Apnea.
Common Sleep Apnea Symptoms:
- Loud snoring
- Excessive sleepiness and fatigue throughout the day
- Trouble concentrating
- Gasping for air during sleep
- Dry mouth
- Headaches in the morning after waking up
- Depression
- Irritability
Can children develop sleep apnea? Read more HERE.
If these sleep apnea symptoms are left untreated for a long period of time, they could lead to more serious health complications, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and more.
More on Sleep Apnea Symptoms from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
Treatments for Sleep Apnea
If you are experiencing the common symptoms of sleep apnea, your dentist or doctor may ask you to participate in a sleep study to monitor your breathing throughout the night. They may ask you about your medical history or perform a physical exam to reach a diagnosis. Remember, more than your sleep can be affected by sleep apnea.
Once a diagnosis is confirmed, there are multiple treatment options for sleep apnea, including:
- Weight loss
- Surgery
- Mouthpieces
- Breathing devices
- Mouth therapy
Research shows that oral appliance therapy, or mouth guard, is an effective treatment option for sleep apnea and snoring. At GPS Dental, we take sleep apnea very seriously and our FDA-approved mouthguards can help open your airway and support your jaw when sleeping. Talk to Dr. Skrobanek to see what treatment is right for you and begin your path to a better night’s sleep!
Home Remedies for Sleep Apnea from Healthline.
Dr. Gary P. Skrobanek’s experienced and friendly team at GPS Dental offers affordable dental care 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.
