Sleep apnea is a very common condition characterized by disrupted breathing patterns while asleep. For those with sleep apnea, breathing can stop and restart hundreds of times while sleeping — sometimes for as long as ten seconds. This may lead to daytime symptoms such as sleepiness, fatigue, lack of sharpness, problems focusing, and headaches. While sleep apnea affects many Americans, the severity of sleep apnea varies from person to person. In certain cases, sleep apnea can be a potentially harmful sleep disorder that increases your risk of more dangerous conditions — such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and Type 2 diabetes — and affects your daily life.
Dr. Mark Griffiths, our cosmetic dentist based in Bankers Hill, can discuss your symptoms with you and formulate a plan to help you get a deeper, more restful sleep at night. When left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to weight gain, heart problems, and other long-term effects on your health.
What are Common Signs of Sleep Apnea?
The most common indication of sleep apnea is loud or chronic snoring. If a partner or loved one lets you know that you snore or gasp while asleep, this can be a sign of central sleep apnea (CSA) or obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Other indications of the condition may include:
- Frequent snoring
- Breathing that starts and stops while asleep
- Waking up gasping for air
- Interruptions in sleep or frequent urination at night
- Headaches, lack of mental focus, or forgetfulness during the day
- Irritability, mood swings, and depression
- Insomnia
Since snoring and many other signs of sleep apnea come to fruition during sleep, many people don’t know that they’re affected by the condition until told by their partner. Factors such as obesity, family history, and lifestyle habits (frequent drinking and smoking) have been known to increase one’s risk of sleep apnea.
Are There At-Home Treatments for Mild Sleep Apnea?
For some patients, adjustments to one’s lifestyle and other holistic solutions can improve the symptoms of sleep apnea. That said, the following tips may result in improvement for cases of light sleep apnea:
- Not sleeping on your back (the tongue is more likely to obstruct your airway in this position)
- Sleeping with your head slightly elevated using pillows or a body wedge
- Exercising regularly and committing to a healthy, nutritious diet
- Opening up the airways with saline nasal flush, breathing strips, etc.
- Reducing smoking and drinking habits
- Losing weight
How Can I Improve Moderate to Severe Sleep Apnea?
There are several solutions for moderate to severe sleep apnea, although there is no “one-size-fits-all” treatment for every patient. If you suspect sleep apnea is disrupting your life, we encourage you to discuss your symptoms with a doctor who specializes in sleep apnea. Potential treatments include:
- A custom-made oral appliance (night guard) designed to open up the airways
- Supplemental oxygen while sleeping
- Sleeping with a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airflow Pressure) machine
If you think you may have sleep apnea, please contact us at (619) 298-6257. We can help identify and diagnose the severity of the sleep apnea and discuss the best treatment options for your unique situation.