Getting quality sleep is an essential component of maintaining overall health. When you sleep your body is able to repair itself and restore vital systems. Sleep apnea patients cannot get restful sleep because they suffer from obstructed nighttime breathing. Many patients stop breathing for extended periods of time at night, and they eventually choke or gasp awake once their oxygen levels dip dangerously low.
Untreated sleep apnea disorder can cause a variety of complications and illnesses. Chronic low-oxygen levels combined with poor sleep and elevated adrenaline and stress levels may cause patients to suffer from complications ranging from fatigue to heart disease.
Some initial sleep apnea problems are also symptoms or warning signs of the disorder. For example:
· Fatigue
· Chronic headaches
· Memory and concentration problems
Over time, untreated sleep apnea begins to damage your overall health. Untreated sleep apnea sufferers are at a higher risk of suffering from:
· Heart disease
· Stroke
· Depression
· Systemic artery disease
· Diabetes
· Cognitive problems
· High blood pressure
These conditions are obviously quite serious. The sooner sleep apnea is effectively treated the less likely it is that you’ll suffer from long-term complications of the disorder. Our O’Fallon sleep apnea dentists are able to treat sleep apnea with unobtrusive, easy to use dental appliances. These appliances restore optimal nighttime breathing, reduce snoring, and help your body get the reparative sleep it needs.
If you’ve been suffering from disrupted sleep, chocking or gasping episodes at night, or daytime fatigue and headaches, sleep apnea may be the root problem. If you or someone you know exhibits these symptoms feel free to call our O’Fallon sleep apnea dentists for more information or to schedule an appointment. You can schedule an appointment by clicking here or calling us at (636) 614-1217.