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Do you or a loved one experience chronic snoring? Have you ever woken up gasping for air? Believe it or not, many people suffer from sleep apnea. Read on to learn more about what to look out for when it comes to sleep apnea.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a sleeping disorder that appears in two forms: central and obstructive. Central sleep apnea (CSA) occurs when the brain fails to properly signal the lungs to take a breath. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurs when the soft tissue collapses in the throat and blocks the airway. Sleep apnea causes people to stop breathing periodically while they sleep.
Sleep Apnea Symptoms
It can be hard to identify some of the most common symptoms of sleep apnea because most occur while you are sleeping. We recommend having a friend or loved one stay on the lookout for any signs of sleep apnea while you sleep. This can help give you a better idea of whether or not you should consult with a sleep doctor and get tested for sleep apnea. These are some of the most common symptoms of sleep apnea.
- Chronic snoring
- Daytime drowsiness
- Difficulty staying asleep
- Dry mouth
- Frequent headaches or migraines
- Gasping for air
- Irritability
What Happens If You Don’t Treat Sleep Apnea?
The pauses in breathing caused by sleep apnea are short and temporary, but it can still have negative consequences on your health in the long run. Some people with sleep apnea wake up multiple times every hour. If left untreated, sleep apnea can cause a host of negative side effects. These are all in addition to the constant fatigue that diminishes your quality of life.
- Decreased life expectancy
- Heart failure
- Heart murmur
- High blood pressure
- Stroke
Sleep Apnea Treatment in Jonesboro, AR
If you think you may be suffering from sleep apnea, it’s important to get into contact with a sleep specialist as quickly as possible for a sleep study. If you’re diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, there are different treatment options to help keep your airway unobstructed while you sleep. Dr. Troy Bartels is one of the dentists who are trained to provide sleep apnea therapy for patients struggling with OSA. He can provide a custom sleep appliance that repositions your jaw while you sleep to keep your airway open. Questions about sleep apnea? Our team can answer them! Please contact Troy Bartels, DDS to schedule your consultation!
