Sleep apnea interferes with your sleep, leaving you feeling tired and lethargic the next day. Fortunately, your Seattle, WA, dentists at Wedgwood Smiles, Dr. Cesar Cruz, and Dr. Skyler Schubel, offer an oral appliance that will help you feel more energetic.
How sleep apnea affects your sleep
Sleep apnea causes you to stop breathing while you sleep. Each breathing pause lasts seconds at a time. Over the course of the night, you may experience hundreds of breathing pauses. Although you may not be aware that you've stopped breathing, you might have noticed that you sometimes jerk awake suddenly or wake up choking or gasping for breath. These responses force you to start breathing again, yet cause you to wake up frequently during the night.
When you have sleep apnea, sleep is anything but restful. The next day you may feel exhausted and wonder why you feel so tired when you went to bed at a reasonable time. Have you been waking up with headaches? Breathing pauses may be to blame. When you're tired and your head hurts, it's hard to focus at work or school, and you may find yourself becoming irritable.
How your dentist can help you manage your sleep apnea symptoms
In addition to causing fatigue, sleep apnea deprives your brain of oxygen and can increase your risk of several health conditions, including:
- Heart disease
- Heart attack
- Irregular heartbeat
- Stroke
- High blood pressure
- Type 2 diabetes
- Depression
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines are often used to treat sleep apnea. While the machines are effective, adjusting to them can be difficult. If you've decided that a CPAP machine isn't the right sleep apnea treatment for you, your dentist may recommend an oral appliance during your visit to the Seattle, WA, dental office. The appliance keeps your tongue from blocking your airway and holds your jaw forward, increasing airflow. The comfortable appliance fits over your teeth, doesn't make a sound, and is easy to pack when you're traveling.
Don't let sleep apnea keep you from getting a good night's sleep! Call (206) 525-6636 to schedule an appointment with your dentists in Seattle, WA, Dr. Cruz, and Dr. Schubel of Wedgwood Smiles.
