If you feel as though you have no energy and are too tired to keep up with your friends and family, you should visit our dental office to talk about sleep apnea. This might be the root of your problems, and all you might require to feel normal again is a straightforward, non-invasive remedy. Call (253) 336-3000 to make an appointment at our Kent dental clinic. After talking about your treatment, we’ll be delighted to offer advice on how you should move forward.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Your body has a hard time getting the oxygen it needs to function correctly if you have sleep apnea. You will feel exhausted and lethargic if you don’t get enough oxygen, but since the ailment only occurs at night, most people are unaware they have it.
How Does Sleep Apnea Impact A Person’s Health?
Untreated sleep apnea can lead to a variety of health issues. A stroke, high blood pressure, headaches, diabetes, depression, mood swings, heart failure, worsening ADHD, and a general lack of wellbeing can be among them.
How Does Sleep Apnea Negatively Impact A Person’s Life?
Without sufficient oxygen, your body will struggle to function. In addition to the negative consequences on your health, this might result in a lack of energy that makes it difficult to enjoy your children’s birthday celebrations, ride a bike, or even drive a car. In fact, when you’re worn out, even the most fundamental and routine tasks in life might make you fall asleep. Driving could become risky as a result, and your productivity at work may suffer. In essence, your quality of life may be significantly decreased, making it crucial that you get treatment for your sleep apnea from your Kent dentist.
What Is The Difference Between Sleep Apnea And A Sleep Disorder?
It is physically difficult to breathe clearly while you are sleeping if you have sleep apnea. Your body won’t receive enough oxygen as a result for it to operate at its best. Any of the following conditions can be a sleep disorder:
- Insomnia. In terms of sleep disorders, insomnia can be either chronic or transient. It is possible to use an oral drug to treat insomnia, which is frequently triggered by outside influences like stress.
- Narcolepsy. Narcolepsy is by far the worst sleep disorder. It can have an effect on you for the rest of your life, leaving you so worn out that you are compelled to fall asleep without warning, no matter where you are or what you are doing. A true life disrupter, narcolepsy.
- Restless leg syndrome. Restless leg syndrome, which frequently affects pregnant women, might make your legs keep moving through the night. RLS can be quite distracting and can affect anyone at any time, giving you a persistent tingling or burning and itching sensation. Since persons who are sedentary usually get RLS, it is beneficial to move or exercise during the day.
- Jet lag. Even while most people think of jet lag as an inevitable feature of long-distance travel, it is actually a sleep disorder, and if your body does not adjust to the time zone shifts well, it could affect you for days or even weeks if you keep moving from place to place. Due to the disruption of your sleep patterns, it may be challenging for you to catch up on the rest you need and you may end up feeling so exhausted that you risk becoming ill. Fortunately, this problem will ultimately go away once you return home and stop traveling.
- Snoring. You might wake up your spouse, your neighbors, or just yourself if you snore too loudly. The loud snoring that prevents many people from getting a decent night’s sleep is frequently caused by sleep apnea.
What Are The Two Main Types Of Sleep Apnea?
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). Your lower jawbone muscles won’t be strong enough to keep your jaw in place while you sleep if you have obstructive sleep apnea. It may consequently fall backward, taking your tongue with it. The airway will then be blocked by your tongue, making it difficult to breathe clearly while you’re asleep. Because of this, persons with OSA frequently snore or make sounds like they’re choking as they sleep. One indication that the body is making an effort to move the tongue in order to breathe is this. Having too much fatty tissue in the back of your throat is another factor in OSA. This is one reason why obesity raises the risk of OSA.
- Central Sleep Apnea. The cause of the sleep apnea in this illness is the brain. Your body doesn’t react as it should because the breathing muscles aren’t receiving the proper signals. You will need to see a specialist for this, not a dentist, who is not qualified to handle it.
How Is Sleep Apnea Treated?
At Seablue Dental of Kent, we advise patients to start by looking into all non-invasive treatment options. For this reason, we frequently advise patients in Kent, Washington, to wear a detachable dental appliance. An oral appliance is a practical treatment option because it is extremely inconspicuous and noiseless. For certain individuals, using a CPAP machine is also necessary to give them extra oxygen. A CPAP can be noisy and difficult to wear, which is a problem. Surgery to remove the extra fatty tissue obstructing your airway is the third therapy option for OSA.
How Does An Oral Appliance Work?
It’s really simple to use an oral appliance. It exactly fits your mouth, so it does so snuggly and securely. Therefore, you may just tuck it away when you go to bed. It successfully holds your lower jaw in the forward position while staying in place inside of your mouth. By doing so, you can keep your airway open and avoid your tongue from slipping backward. While some people can get all the relief they want with an oral appliance, others with severe sleep apnea may additionally need to use a CPAP machine concurrently. Most patients in this situation claim that their CPAP is a great deal more pleasant than when they were using it as a stand-alone treatment option.
At Seablue Dental, our dentists are happy to discuss your health challenges and make recommendations. In very complex cases. they may need to refer you to a sleep apnea specialist for treatment!
