Royal Oak and Birmingham, MI
Sleep apnea is a dangerous sleep-breathing disorder that affects millions, but many people don’t realize they have it. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) causes repeated pauses in breathing during the night, leading to disrupted sleep patterns and potentially serious health consequences. This is why it’s important that if you have (or notice in your bed partner) any of the following OSA signs and symptoms, you call our sleep apnea dentist in Royal Oak right away to schedule an appointment. Recognizing the signs and symptoms will help you seek timely treatment so we can intervene and help improve your overall health and well-being.
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Loud snoring
The most hallmark sign of sleep apnea is loud, persistent snoring. Sleep apnea occurs when the muscles in the throat area relax, causing an obstructed airway. Snoring is the vibrating sound of air struggling to make it through the airway. Sometimes, snoring at night is common and normal, especially if someone has a cold or allergies. But if snoring is accompanied by pauses in breathing followed by choking or gasping noises, it is most likely sleep apnea.
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Breathing pauses
Sleep apnea can cause lengthy and frequent pauses in breathing at night. They can last several seconds to a minute or more and occur 100 times or more in the most severe cases. When the pauses happen, the brain responds by startling the person awake to breathe. While the person suffering from OSA may not recall being woken up so many times at night, the sleep cycle disruptions can make them feel severe fatigue during the day.
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Daytime fatigue or excessive sleepiness
People who have sleep apnea can get a recommended eight hours of sleep or more and still wake up feeling unrefreshed and exhausted. This persistent fatigue can interfere with daily activities, work performance and a person’s overall quality of life.
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Morning headaches
If you find that you regularly wake up with chronic, unexplained headaches, you may have sleep apnea. The link between sleep apnea and morning headaches is not yet fully understood, but it is believed to be related to the fluctuation of oxygen levels and increased carbon dioxide levels during breathing pauses.
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Irritability and/or mood swings
Chronic sleep disruption and oxygen deprivation during sleep can lead to irritability, mood swings and difficulty focusing and concentrating. If you have sleep apnea, you may experience heightened irritability, feelings of frustration and decreased tolerance for stressors in your daily life. This can lead to feelings of anxiety and depression.
Sleep apnea dentist in Royal Oak and Birmingham, Michigan
Sleep apnea is a prevalent sleep disorder that, if left untreated, can have serious implications for health and quality of life. Recognizing the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea is the first step toward seeking an appropriate diagnosis and treatment. At Hartrick Dentistry, our Birmingham family dentists can treat mild to moderate cases of sleep apnea with the use of simple oral appliance therapy. Comfortable, custom-made mouthguards may be your ticket to a more solid, refreshing night of sleep. If you believe that you or your sleeping partner may have OSA, call us at (248) 712-1149, or reach us online today to schedule an appointment.