Everyone could stand to get a little more sleep every night. Ideally, we’d all find time to get a solid nine hours of rest each evening. However, that’s not realistic for most people. You’ve got a busy schedule and you have other people to care for, so extra sleep is tough to find. What’s important is getting the most out of the sleep you do get. If you suffer from sleep apnea, this is a major problem! Sleep apnea disrupts your sleep cycle, waking you up to hundreds of times throughout the night. You may not even regain consciousness when you wake up, but you’re also failing to get the deep sleep your body so desperately needs to be at 100%. So, what can you do about sleep apnea and the problems it causes? The key may be talking to your dentist.
Sleep Apnea Causes Other Problems for Your Body
The tough thing about sleep apnea is that your problems only begin with loss of sleep. Sleep deprivation over time has many other harmful side effects. Untreated sleep apnea can lead to high blood pressure. This condition can lead to an increased risk for heart attacks and strokes. Failing to get good sleep can also lead to depression and poor liver function. All of these conditions can compound to make life very difficult — and it can all stem from sleep apnea.
Sleep Apnea Is Caused by a Block in Your Air Passage
There are a wide variety of risk factors for sleep apnea, and it can be difficult to self-diagnose this condition because you don’t always know it’s happening to you. If you’re a smoker, drinker, or you have a family history of this condition, you may be at risk for sleep apnea. When you develop sleep apnea, that means that some tissue in your throat is becoming overly relaxed and blocking airflow. That’s what causes you to wake up throughout the night.
Discuss Sleep Apnea Treatment with Your Dentist
You need quality sleep to function at your best, so if you think you may have sleep apnea, talk to your dentist about treatment options. Your dentist can often create a custom appliance — like a mouthguard — that you can wear at night to help keep your airways open. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Carter and Elm Creek Dental in Maple Grove, MN today by calling 763-416-0606.