What You Need To Know About Sleep Apnea
Deb Caulfield • Oct 12, 2020
Are you struggling with sleepless nights? Well, you are not alone; stats reveal that almost 74% of the adults in the world experience trouble sleeping at least a few nights a week. 42 million adults are observed to have sleep-disordered breathing. Almost one out of five adults are suffering from mild obstructive sleep apnea and the conditions are critical for one out of five adults.
Experts reveal that chronic sleep loss may lead to glucose metabolism reduction by almost 30 to 40%. In the worst cases, sleep disorders can even lead to a shortage of life span.
People that are not able to enjoy healthy sleep at night are more likely to experience discomfort with physical and mental health. Lack of sleep can even cause trouble in concentrating and frequent headaches as well.
Considering all these outcomes, it has become quite important to find adequate treatment for sleep apnea.
What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder in which a person experiences difficulty in breathing. Some people snore very loudly and others feel tired even after long hours of sleep.
There are three different types of sleep apnea:
- Obstructive sleep apnea: It is the most common form of sleep apnea that occurs when muscles at the throat start relaxing.
- Central sleep apnea: This condition occurs when your brain stops sending proper signals to body muscles which otherwise work for controlling breathing activities.
- Complex sleep apnea syndrome: It is better known as treatment-emergent central sleep apnea. This condition occurs when a person is suffering from both central sleep apnea and obstructive sleep apnea.
What causes sleep apnea?
Different causes can play a role in different types of sleep apnea.
The most common reason behind obstructive sleep apnea is the relaxing state of the muscles on the back of your throat. When they relax, airways start narrowing down as you breathe; this means your body cannot receive enough air. Soon, the brain recognizes the difficulty in breathing and generates an awake signal so that airways can reopen. You may not remember you woke up since the awakenings are usually brief.
In the case of central sleep apnea, the brain fails to send signals to the breathing muscles. In this condition, your body stops making efforts to breathe and you may get awake due to the shortness of breathing.
Common signs and things to watch for:
Studies reveal that symptoms and signs of central sleep apnea and obstructive sleep apnea may overlap. This is the main reason why sometimes even doctors find it difficult to identify the right condition. Some of the most common symptoms of these conditions include:
- Irritability
- Difficulty to pay attention when you are awake
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Morning headache
- Awakening with dry mouth
- Gasping air while sleeping
- Episodes of disturbed breathing cycles
- Loud snoring
When and why to seek a dentist’s treatment?
It is important to address sleep disturbances and symptoms related to sleep disorders, as prolonged sleep apnea has been linked to serious medical conditions. Some of the most common complications include heart problems, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and liver problems.
If you are suffering from sleep disorders, we recommend you consult our professionals at Epic Dentistry. Dr. Caulfield can help you identify and treat the underlying cause behind sleep related issues to improve your overall quality of life. During the first appointment, he will review your medical history and do a full evaluation of the airway, teeth, muscles and joints. He may recommend an at-home sleep study provided by Epic Dentistry for more insight into your sleep patterns.
Treatment options will vary based on the findings of your initial examination. Night guards and splint therapy are common options to treat snoring when there is no other symptom. These oral appliances act like an orthodontic retainer. Custom-fit to your mouth, an oral appliance can support the jaw in a forward position to prevent the collapse of your airway while you sleep and prevent snoring.
When obstructive sleep apnea is suspected, Dr. Caulfield will work with an M.D. for your diagnosis and may recommend the Vivos System. Similar to other oral appliances, the Vivos appliance is worn in the evening and during the night while you sleep. But unlike traditional night guards, the Vivos System
gently expands as you progress through treatment. The bone and tissue growth achieved using the Vivos System
can permanently increase airway volume and tongue space helping you to breathe better. This can be a great option for sleep apnea patients that don’t want or are unable to use continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy.
If you are tired of living with sleep disorders, schedule an appointment with us. Call (720) 669-8910 or use our online booking system. Dr. Caulfield is an experienced dentists capable of providing reliable sleep apnea treatment in Littleton. Soon you will be able to enjoy a relaxing and healthy night’s sleep.
One of our valued patients will be brightening their smile with our Glo teeth whitening and 'white diet' take-home gift package. With Glo's guided light technology you can brighten up to 12 shades with no messy trays or whitening strips. There's no cost to enter. All you have to do is share your experience at Epic Dentistry with friends and family. If we provided excellent care for your TMJ pain, sleep issues, or general dentistry needs, let your friends know about it and earn more chances to win!
What are the signs telling you? (book your hygiene visit today!)
One of the aspects we truly appreciate about our profession is the opportunity to reunite with our patients biannually during hygiene visits. These dental cleanings play a crucial role in maintaining your oral hygiene, complementing your everyday oral care routine of brushing and flossing. If you've concluded your visit with what we call a 'healthy visit'—indicating that your gums and teeth are in excellent condition—this is indeed a wonderful outcome! However, you may question whether it is necessary to continue scheduling appointments every six months and what consequences may arise from skipping your cleanings. Regular dental hygiene visits are important for several reasons. ☑️ Preventing Tooth Decay: Routine hygiene visits are the best way to detect early signs of tooth decay or cavities, helping to address these issues before they become more serious. Gum recession as you age is normal, but it's important to keep a watch because as gums recede it can lead to decay at the root of the tooth. ☑️ Gum Disease Prevention: Your gums are healthy. Yay! Let's keep them that way. Regular cleanings help prevent gum disease, which can lead to more severe health problems if left untreated. ☑️ Oral Cancer Detection: Every dental visit at Epic Dentistry includes an oral cancer screening, enabling early detection and treatment if any abnormalities are found. ☑️ Plaque and Tartar Removal: Professional cleanings remove plaque and tartar buildup, which cannot be effectively removed through regular brushing and flossing. ☑️ Personalized Care: We have tested many of the over-the-counter oral products available and will provide personalized advice on proper oral care, including brushing, flossing, and diet, tailored to your specific needs. ☑️ Saving Money: Your regular visits for hygiene cleanings are preventative in nature. With every hygiene visit Doctor will do an exam to identify and address any early signs of a problem before it requires more extensive treatment which can be costly. ☑️ Overall Health: Issues in the mouth can contribute to or exacerbate other health issues like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and respiratory infections. At Epic Dentistry we are passionate about the oral-systemic link. Maintaining oral hygiene is the best way to ensure your overall health. Why wait? Schedule your hygiene visit now! We have immediate availability for new patients seeking the exceptional EPIC experience. Each visit includes a comprehensive examination, meticulous teeth and gum cleaning, necessary x-rays, oral cancer screening, and one-on-one time with Dr. Caulfield. Our unmatched expertise and advanced technology ensure a comfortable and high-quality care experience in the Denver metro area. Your new smile is just around the corner! Click below to request an appointment or call us at 303-972-2224 to see what last-minute openings are available.
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