Sleep apnea affects up to 18 million adults in the US. Even though it is a common issue, many people do not realize the risks associated with leaving obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) untreated. At Medfield Smiles, Dr. Sean Rayment helps patients maintain their overall and dental well-being by educating them on the negative impact OSA has on their health.
What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the airway is partially or fully blocked during sleep. The blockage prevents proper breathing, leading to oxygen deprivation that causes the person to wake up. Depending on the severity of the sleep apnea this can happen anywhere from a few times a night to dozens of times every hour.
People develop sleep apnea for various reasons. For some people the reason is a naturally narrow airway. In other cases, an allergy or similar condition increases the risk of OSA due to airway swelling that makes a blockage more likely. Being overweight or having excess fat in the neck or chest area greatens risk of airway obstruction.
Some common signs of sleep apnea include:
- Snoring, which is caused by partial airway blockage.
- Noticeable pauses in breathing when you sleep.
- Daytime fatigue, for instance if you often feel tired or fall asleep during the day. This may indicate that you're not getting restful sleep.
- If you often wake up with a headache, or have high blood pressure. These can be due to low blood-oxygen during sleep.
Risks and Effects of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is highly disruptive and not just because of the direct effect it has on quality of sleep. Lack of sleep affects every aspect of your life, including relationships and work. You may experience mental fatigue, loss of focus, mood swings, and even depression. It can disrupt the lives of others too, especially sleeping partners, as they may be kept awake with snoring and sleep disturbances.
Of greater concern are the long-term health risks of untreated sleep apnea. The constant sleep disruption and oxygen deprivation put immense strain on the cardiovascular system. Without treatment, OSA leads to a higher risk of heart problems, stroke, reflux disease, and diabetes.
Being sleepy during the day also means a higher risk of workplace and driving accidents, as well as other potentially dangerous situations.
Getting Treatment for Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a potentially serious problem, but there are very effective treatments available that improve sleep quality and prevent oxygen deprivation.
One is the CPAP, a continuous positive airway pressure machine. The CPAP is a mask worn over the face that’s attached to a positive-pressure air unit. When the mask is worn it feeds a steady stream of oxygen to the airway to help keep it open and keep oxygen levels up.
For people with mild sleep apnea another method is an oral device provided by a dentist. This device keeps the mouth and jaw in a position that helps the airway stay open. It can help people with sleep apnea, and people with snoring issues too.
For more information about sleep apnea, contact Medfield Smiles today! Our Medfield dentist, Dr. Rayment, helps people in his community maintain their dental and overall well-being with effective oral hygiene techniques and education.