Many adult patients in the United States are suffering from sleep apnea without even realizing it! These people suffer through painful and life-altering sleep apnea symptoms, and they don’t reach out to their doctors because they don’t realize that their malady has a real name and real treatment options.
This is why our Orland Park sleep apnea dentists are making it a point to educate dental patients on the common signs and symptoms of sleep apnea. We want to empower you to spot this condition as soon as it pops up, so that you can seek timely treatment.
The first thing to know is that sleep apnea occurs at night; when your oral tissues relax as you fall asleep, they can actually fall into, and thus obstruct, your airway. Sleep apnea prevents you from inhaling adequate oxygen as you sleep.
If this is happening to you, you’ll likely notice some inconveniences in the short term. Left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to quite serious health issues in the long term.
Here are some immediate red flags that you’re dealing with sleep apnea:
- Disruptive snoring—this snoring may wake you or your sleep partner
- Dry mouth, especially upon waking
- Fatigue and concentration problems
- Headaches in the morning and evening
- A sensation of gasping or choking awake in the night
It is key to seek professional treatment as soon as you notice sleep apnea in your life. Patients who suffer from long-term, untreated sleep apnea are at a higher risk of dealing with high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, diabetes, and depression over time.
Our Orland Park sleep apnea dentists are happy to provide you with any additional information that you may need about sleep apnea—how it presents and how it can be treated. Please feel free to call our office to speak with our helpful team!