The tricky thing is, you may not actually be able to answer this question. While you may not think of yourself as someone who struggles to sleep through the night, the type of incidents that disrupt your sleep may not fully awaken you. Disruptions to your sleep can be caused by apneatic episodes, brought on by a condition called “sleep apnea.” Sleep apnea can cause you to wake up hundreds of times per night without ever fully regaining consciousness, but these disruptions are enough to rob you of the vital, restorative sleep you need to feel your best.
Sleep Apnea Causes You to Temporarily Stop Breathing
Why does sleep apnea cause you to wake up throughout the night? Because your body stops breathing. You’re waking up to restore the airflow you need to breathe. Patients who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea are experiencing a blockage caused by relaxed oral tissue — often the tongue. The blockage can be a product of the size of your various oral tissues, or the positioning of your jaw when you sleep. When your brain doesn’t get enough air, it wakes up your body, but again, you likely aren’t aware of this as it’s happening.
Snoring Is a Common Sleep Apnea Sign
Patients that have obstructive sleep apnea, snore. The snoring noise is a product of the blockage of air in your throat. If you snore chronically, and you wake up feeling tired and fatigued even after getting plenty of sleep, it may be the work of sleep apnea. This isn’t to say that every snore is necessarily caused by sleep apnea. To determine whether or not you have the condition, you need to complete a sleep study, during which a health professional can monitor your sleep and look for signs of a problem.
What Can You Do to Combat Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a frustrating condition because it robs you of the sleep you need to feel your best. It can also have negative health consequences, like increased blood pressure and depression. So, what can you do to treat the condition? CPAP machines can help you breathe, but they’re also uncomfortable, noisy, and cumbersome. Your dentist can actually help you in some cases. Your dentist can often provide you with a custom-fabricated mouthpiece that shifts your jaw into position to prevent the blockage from occurring. This is a simple solution to help you get restful sleep every night.
Treat Sleep Apnea at Smith Family Dentistry
We understand how important quality sleep is for your daily function. If you’re an individual who struggles with sleep apnea, give us a visit. If you’re eligible, we’ll create an oral appliance that allows you to breathe comfortably throughout the night and get the rest that you need. Schedule an appointment at Smith Family Dentistry in Greenville, TX by calling the office at 903-455-5750.