Obstructive sleep apnea is a breathing disorder that often goes misdiagnosed or undiagnosed for years in adult patients. This is because many of the symptoms of sleep apnea disorder—especially fatigue—can be attributed to other conditions, and just plain busy lifestyles.
Consequently, our Saint Louis sleep apnea dentists want to help our patients recognize the signs of sleep apnea obstruction. When you can recognize this common problem, you can get the treatment you need precisely when you need it.
The trick to pinpointing sleep apnea problems is to notice a combination of symptoms, rather than singular signs. Have you been experiencing one more of these issues? If so, it’s time to talk to your dentist about obstructive sleep apnea.
· Disruptive and persistent snoring—sleep apnea patients can snore so loudly that they wake the other people sleeping in their houses!
· Dry mouth upon waking—sleep apnea can hamper your natural saliva production, so you may notice that your mouth feels dry and gritty when you wake.
· Fatigue and headaches—because sleep apnea disrupts healthy REM cycles, you will likely suffer from daytime drowsiness and even headaches.
· Nighttime waking—sleep apnea prevents your body from absorbing sufficient oxygen. This can cause you to wake throughout the night and suffer from periods of insomnia. You may even find that you are gasping for breath as you wake.
There are simple, comfortable, and easy-to-wear dental appliances that can help you keep sleep apnea symptoms at bay. You will probably be surprised at how much better you feel once you address this common nighttime breathing issue!
Our Saint Louis sleep apnea dentists are here to help you overcome these uncomfortable and unhealthy problems, and regain a solid night’s sleep. You can easily reach us by calling our office or by submitting a question for our dental team through our website.