Every morning, you wake up to an angry partner who complains that you snored all night long. Or maybe you wake up with a dry mouth, headache, and exhaustion despite getting a full night’s sleep. Mood disorders, daytime lethargy, high blood pressure … all of these situations and symptoms could be a sign of Obstructive Sleep Apnea, a potentially harmful and often undiagnosed condition.
What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
OSA occurs when the airway is obstructed during sleep, causing airflow to stop for between 10 – 30 seconds multiple times each night. The brain eventually takes over and restores breathing, but the repeated lack of oxygen takes its toll on the body, resulting in just some of the following concerns:
- High blood pressure
- Increased heart rate
- Glucose intolerance and insulin resistance
- Increased likelihood of stroke and heart disease
- Mood disorders such as depression or anxiety
- Increased risk of accident due to exhaustion
If you have any of the symptoms above and have been told that you snore, be sure to make an appointment with your physician as soon as possible.
How Can Dentistry Help?
While the most common treatment for OSA is a CPAP machine (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure), the mask and hose that are attached to the machine can be cumbersome. Another highly-effective treatment is an oral appliance. Once you’ve been diagnosed with OSA, Michelle Muñoz, DDS can create a customized oral appliance to be worn while you sleep. This appliance will reposition your jaw and tongue, allowing air to flow freely. Another perk? You can switch sleeping positions whenever necessary to increase your comfort.
If you live in the Uvalde, Texas area and are concerned that you may be suffering from Sleep Apnea, let Dr. Michelle Muñoz help. Contact our office today to schedule an appointment.
