Sleep apnea is a potentially very harmful chronic disorder that is surprisingly common among adult patients. While many sufferers consider sleep apnea to be a mere inconvenience, the truth is that, when left untreated, sleep apnea can actually increase your risk of suffering from a host of dental and whole-body health issues. That is why our Orland Park sleep apnea dentists strongly encourage our patients to reach out for help at the first sign of sleep apnea issues.
Here are some sleep apnea-related problems for which to look. And remember, you can always contact our team if you need more specific information.
One of the key symptoms that may indicate sleep apnea is disrupted or poor-quality sleep. Sleep apnea causes your body to wake itself throughout the night in order to restart the breathing process. As you would imagine, this disrupts your natural REM cycle. You may find that you’re feeling fatigued during the day, or that you’re having trouble concentrating. Some people remember waking frequently, while others don’t, so just because you don’t have a memory of disrupted sleep doesn’t mean you’re not experiencing sleep disruptions.
Snoring is another sleep apnea red flag. Many people actually schedule sleep apnea consultations because their sleeping partners report that their snoring has become loud and constant. Going hand in hand with snoring, you may even find yourself experiencing a gasping or choking sensation at night—this is your body trying to bring enough air to keep your blood oxygen levels up.
Sleep apnea sufferers are also at an increased risk of suffering from headaches, and other chronic maxillofacial pain. These types of amorphous pain symptoms can be some of the most difficult for patients to directly tie back to sleep apnea, so keep your dentist informed of any chronic maxillofacial pain you may be dealing with.
There are effective, patient-friendly treatments for sleep apnea that can help you manage and even overcome this chronic condition. Our Tinley Park sleep apnea dentists are happy to give you more information—give us a call to get started!