Everyone knows the groggy feeling that tends to crop up in the afternoon. It seems like an afternoon slowdown is par for the course for many people. This phenomenon may be the result of a lack of sleep. However, you may also be feeling groggy because the sleep you’re getting isn’t as effective as it could be. If you’re someone who sleeps for nine hours a night, but you still feel sluggish throughout the day, it could be the result of sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a medical condition characterized by snoring, but snoring is far from the worst side effect of sleep apnea.
Don’t Ignore Grogginess if You’re Getting Enough Sleep
If you want to combat the groggy feeling that you get in the afternoon, you should ensure that you’re getting plenty of quality sleep each night. Sleep apnea is an oral health condition that can disrupt the quality of your sleep. You may be getting a full nine hours, but sleep apnea can cause the sleep to feel less restful. That’s because sleep apnea wakes you up hundreds of times throughout the night. Your body snores because of an obstruction in your airways. This obstruction will eventually wake you up, and can do so again and again without you even realizing that you’ve woken up. This prevents you from getting deep, restful sleep.
Sleep Apnea Is a Health Condition that Can Have Serious Consequences
If you have a partner that sleeps in the same bed or room with you, they’ll likely be annoyed by the snoring that comes with sleep apnea, but the consequences of sleep apnea are much more than annoying. A chronic lack of quality sleep can cause you to feel fatigued, depressed, and it can even trigger physical health conditions. Sleep apnea can lead to high blood pressure, an increased risk for heart attack, and poor liver function. That’s why it’s important for you to diagnose and treat your sleep apnea. (Your partner will appreciate it too.)
Talk to Your Dentist About Sleep Apnea Diagnosis and Treatment
If you’ve been living with a snore and chronic grogginess for some time, bring it up to your dentist. Your dentist can make a recommendation for sleep apnea diagnosis. If it is determined that you do have sleep apnea, your dentist can offer treatment as well. Often times, your dentist can fashion a custom oral appliance that counteracts sleep apnea. The oral appliance shifts your bite to unblock your airways. This gets rid of the snore, and the constant awakening during the night.
Address Sleep Apnea at Elm Creek Dental
Don’t accept grogginess as the norm. Talk to Dr. Carter and the team at Elm Creek Dental about testing for sleep apnea. A custom oral appliance is an easy fix for this serious problem. Schedule your next dentist appointment at Elm Creek Dental in Maple Grove, MN by calling 763-416-0606.