At Allen Park Dental Care we often see patients who have been struggling with deficient sleep for months or even years. Some of them end up diagnosed with sleep apnea or related conditions.
You Can’t Just “Tough It Out”
The reluctance to request treatment is sad, because sleep deprivation takes a toll on their health and reduces their quality of life. If they are keeping someone up at night, it makes life more difficult for that person, as well.
Protect Your Health
Sleep apnea is a disorder where you have frequent, recurring pauses in breathing while you sleep. These lapses can last for up to 60 seconds and are most often caused by soft tissue in the back of the throat that relaxes and blocks the airway. When the brain is not getting enough oxygen it interferes with vital biological processes.
For some reason, many individuals don’t consider sleep apnea a serious issue. Why the disconnect? We are talking about breathing, folks! There isn’t a biological activity more basic than that. And substandard sleep can cause a plethora of serious health issues. It also impacts performance in every aspect of life; work, hobbies, and social settings.
Several types of sleep apnea have been identified:
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Cause: Throat muscles relax and cover the airway. This is the most prevalent type.
Central Sleep Apnea
Cause: The brain doesn’t send signals to the muscles that control breathing.
Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome (Treatment-emergent Central Sleep Apnea)
This type is a combination of obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea.
Signs of Sleep Apnea
- Loud snoring
- Sudden awakenings where you are choking or feel “out of breath”
- Pauses in breathing while sleeping (as evidenced by another person observing the behavior)
- Sore throat or dry mouth after sleeping
- Restless sleep
- Falling asleep while performing normal daily activities
- Inability to concentrate during the day
- Depression and irritability
- Awakening with a headache
- Extreme fatigue
If you experience any of these symptoms, we invite you to discuss it with us at Allen Park Dental Care. Sleep apnea is serious, but treatable. We also provide family dentistry. Make an appointment today.
Contact Szalai & Szalai DDS – Allen Park Dental Care:
313-928-2323
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
5329 Allen Rd
Allen Park, Michigan
48101
