Sleep apnea is a type of sleep-related breathing disorder, which is a group of sleep disorders characterized by irregular breathing patterns while sleeping.
Sleep apnea is a disorder in which a person’s breathing slows down or stops for short periods while they sleep. Even though these lapses cause a person to wake up sometimes and lower the quality of their sleep, a person may not fully wake up and not realize that their nighttime breathing isn’t normal. You must seek comprehensive care treatment from a dentist in Manvel.
Symptoms
Possible Sleep Apnea symptoms include:
- Daytime tiredness that interferes with daily activities
- Screeching snores
- Sleep-related pauses in breathing have been seen on multiple occasions.
- Experiencing sudden awakenings accompanied by gasping or choking
- Pain in the throat or dry mouth upon waking
- Tense neck and head in the morning
- Having a hard time focusing on tasks during the day
- Alterations in temperament, including melancholy and irritability
- Excessive BP
Why and when should you see a doctor?
Sleep Apnea affects your body in many ways. You should see a doctor if you or your spouse experience or notice any of the following symptoms:
- The loud snoring that wakes you up or those around you
- Experiencing an acute case of gasping or choking upon waking
- Sleep-related breathing pauses
- Experiencing daytime sleepiness so severe that it interferes with daily activities like working, watching TV, or driving.
Not all people who snore have obstructive sleep apnea, and not all serious medical conditions may be detected simply by listening for snoring.
If you snore loudly, especially if there are gaps between your snores, you should consult a medical professional. When you have obstructive sleep apnea, your snoring may be loudest when you sleep on your back but subside when you switch to your side.
If you’re constantly exhausted, tired, and irritable, it’s time to see a doctor. It’s possible that conditions like narcolepsy are to blame for excessive daytime sleepiness.
Causes
When the muscles in the back of your throat relax too much during sleep, you experience obstructive sleep apnea. These muscles support the tonsils, the rear of the tongue, and the roof of the mouth (soft palate). The uvula, a triangular flap of tissue hanging from the soft palate, is also supported by these muscles.
Inhalation is impeded for at least 10 seconds when muscles relax because the airway becomes narrower or closes completely. This can lead to a decrease in blood oxygen levels and a buildup of carbon dioxide.
When your brain detects that your breathing is being restricted, it momentarily wakes you up so that you can clear your airway. This awakening is typically so fleeting that it is forgotten immediately.
If you wake up short of breath, it may go away after a few deep breaths. Snorting, coughing, or gasping noises are possible.
This pattern may occur anywhere from five to thirty times each hour. You won’t be able to get into the deep, restorative stages of sleep, and you’ll probably feel drowsy during the day due to these interruptions.
People who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea may not even realize how often their sleep is disrupted. Many people who suffer from this sleep apnea are blissfully unaware that they spent the night awake repeatedly.
Our expert dentist at Manvel Dental and Implant Centre treats your sleep apnea issues with comprehensive care. To know more about sleep apnea, visit our dental office today.
