Sleep apnea is a chronic and inconvenient health issue that tends to become more intense and severe over time. Prompt identification and treatment of obstructive sleep apnea can help you avoid a number of sleep and health issues down the road.
Today our Saint Louis sleep apnea dentists are reviewing some of the common signs of sleep apnea. We hope that this information empowers you to take control of sleep apnea issues as soon as they arise.
As you may already know, sleep apnea occurs when a patient’s oral tissues fall into his or her airways when he or she is asleep. For this reason, one of the most tell-tale signs of sleep apnea is persistent snoring. Sleep apnea sufferers can snore so loudly and unceasingly that they disrupt their sleeping partners’ sleep.
Stay alert, also, for chronic pain or discomfort that may indicate sleep apnea. For example, if you regularly wake up with headaches or facial/neck tension, this may be due to sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea can also cause a person to suffer from concentration problems as well as mood swings. Because sleep apnea prevents you from getting the restful night’s sleep that you need, you’re likely to deal with fatigue during the day.
Sleep apnea sufferers are also prone to dealing with insomnia and disrupted sleep. You may find yourself waking in the night—even waking with a gasping or choking sensation. This happens because your blood oxygen levels have dipped too low, and your body needs to “restart” in order to help you breathe again.
If you think that you may be dealing with sleep apnea, our Saint Louis sleep apnea dentists are here to help you reclaim a restful night’s sleep. Please give us a call to get started, or you can use the Contact Us page on our website to submit an inquiry for our dental team!