Sleep apnea is a condition that manifests at night when the patient is sleeping. As the patient sleeps, his or her oral tissues fall into the primary airway, causing oxygen intake obstruction.
Although the sleep apnea process occurs at night, this condition can cause disruptive problems for the patient during the day. Let’s learn more about what to look out for from our O’Fallon sleep apnea dentist…
The first thing to take stock of is whether you are feeling considerably tired and fatigued throughout the day. We’re all tired from time to time, but if you find yourself struggling to get through the day on a regular basis, you may be dealing with the effects of sleep apnea.
Additionally, be aware that sleep apnea can also cause tension and fatigue related headaches. Although these headaches are most likely to pop up in the morning and at night, they may occur at any time. The key is to recognize a pattern of chronic or regular headaches, as these often point to sleep disruptions.
Many sleep apnea patients also report that they have drastic changes in mood during the day. This is likely because these patients are not getting the high-quality, restful sleep that they need, because sleep apnea disrupts the natural REM cycle. You might find that it is hard to focus, stay on task, and retain new information.
Untreated sleep apnea can also contribute to serious health problems—like high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes—which can be very hard for patients to live with every day. To minimize your risk of developing these harmful health problems, make sure to get the sleep apnea treatment you need in a timely manner.
Our O’Fallon sleep apnea dentists can help you minimize disruptive sleep apnea symptoms with comfortable and effective treatment solutions. Contact our office to get started!