Treating Sleep Apnea to Protect Your Health
August 26, 2017
Your snoring could be a sign of sleep apnea, a serious sleep disorder. Sleep apnea is a condition wherein the soft issues of your mouth and throat collapse into your airway causing a disruption to your breathing. This disruption will cause you to wake up. Even if you do not remember waking up, it can prevent you from getting your much-needed rest. A lack of rest can lead to stress, mood swings, and grogginess. Sleep apnea can increase your risk of having a stroke, heart disease, and diabetes. Your dentist can treat sleep apnea to lower your risk of developing these health complications.
Obstructing Oxygen in Your Blood
The disruptions in your sleep can cause health problems, but more importantly are the disruptions of oxygen getting to your brain and other vital organs. Sleep apnea can cause several disruptions in a single night wreaking havoc on your system. These tiny bouts of suffocation can cause severe stress on your body causing your blood pressure to rise, increasing your risks of developing the aforementioned issues like heart disease and stroke.
Treatment With an Oral Appliance
An oral appliance can be prescribed by your dentist to treat your obstructive sleep apnea. The appliance can be worn during sleep to prevent the soft tissues from collapsing into the airway. This can prevent the minor suffocations, which can save your body from the stress caused by them. The oral appliance can also help you get a more restful night of sleep. Your body will be able to complete a REM (rapid eye movement) cycle without disruption from the sleep apnea. REM cycles allow your body to restore natural functions while you sleep, which allow you to wake up feeling regenerated and ready for the day.
Untreated Sleep Apnea Can Impact Your Life and Your Health
Ask your dentist about sleep apnea treatment. To learn more, schedule an appointment by calling Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry of Kansas City, MO, today at 816-427-4018.