When you have trouble staying asleep and feel exhausted during the night, then you may be suffering from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). To avoid poor quality of life and strained heart health, you may need treatment. In today’s blog, your Austin, MN, dentists talk about finding the perfect solution for sleep apnea.
The Causes and Warning Signs
How do you know if you’re not sleeping well? People with the disorder often report daytime drowsiness, even if they feel they slept well the night before. Waking with dry mouth is common too, as is waking suddenly gasping for air or choking. You see, the disorder causes your soft tissues in the back of your mouth and in your throat to become too relaxed and collapse, cutting off airflow until the brain wakes you to breathe. You may not remember this happening, but it could occur as often as a dozen times every hour. You may also notice headaches, moodiness, and difficulty concentrating on tasks. If you encounter one or more of these common warning signs, let us know right away,
The Dangers for Your Health
Without treatment, your daytime exhaustion could grow worse, impacting your quality of life. The disorder could also strain your immune system and leave you feeling sick more often. Without care, this could also place stress in your cardiovascular system. The result is a higher risk of everything from high blood pressure and heart disease to stroke and heart attack. You need rest to not only feel alert each day, but to function properly and enjoy good overall health!
Treatment With an Oral Appliance
To help bring relief, our team could recommend oral appliance therapy. We take detailed digital impressions of your smile and use them to design and custom-fit a device that looks and fits like a mouthguard. The device is worn at night while you rest, and adjusts the position of the jaw to prevent the collapse of soft tissues. You then breathe without interruption and feel more rested the next day. You could also help by sleeping on your side, keeping your bedroom dark and cool, and maintaining a regular sleep schedule. Be sure to avoid excess alcohol, caffeine, exercise, or large meals in the two hours before bed. If you have any questions about how we diagnose and treat issues like sleep apnea, then contact our team today to learn more.
Talk To Your Austin, MN Dentist About Treating a Sleep Disorder
Our team wants to help you enjoy a good night’s rest with a cozy and custom oral appliance. If you would like to find out more, contact your Austin, MN, dentists, Dr. Potach and Dr. Mitchell, by calling 507-437-6312.
