Sleep apnea appears to be prevalent in overweight males aged 40 and above. It comes in different forms, but in all its forms, usually breathing stops and commences repeatedly during sleep. Obstructive sleep apnea, being the most common, occurs when muscles of the throat relax and collapse or fall backward, causing blockage of the airway. Another type, which is much less common, is central sleep apnea. It occurs when there is a problem with the brain’s ability to signal the muscles responsible for controlling breathing. The third type of this disorder is complex sleep apnea. It is extremely rare and features both central and obstructive apneas. We see to all of these cases here at the Ford Dental Group.
Do You Have Sleep Apnea?
Signs of sleep apnea are snoring, insomnia, and irritability. A patient may have repeated episodes of air gasping during sleep. You may wake up in the mornings with headaches and a dry mouth. A patient stops breathing repetitively during sleep and daytime drowsiness may occur.
What If You Don’t Treat Sleep Apnea?
Serious issues can develop if sleep apnea remains untreated. You may risk getting heart disease and high blood pressure. The sudden drops in the amount of oxygen in the blood are associated with the risk of heart disease or hypertension. Often, when you stop breathing, oxygen levels in the body drop, and they increase when you resume breathing. Other conditions that may arise, include type 2 diabetes and complications with medical procedures.
People with sleep apnea are likely to develop insulin resistance as well as type 2 diabetes. Again, sleep apnea patients are usually given sedation while lying on their backs. This can bring serious complications. Therefore, if you are struggling with the disorder and you have scheduled surgery, let the dentist know ahead of time that you have sleep apnea. The dentist will take precautions when delivering anesthesia or sedation.
Learn how sleep apnea impacts your oral and overall health. Our dental office can collaborate with your doctor to provide solutions to your disorder. Find out today.
