If your roommate or partner has complained about your loud snoring, you might have obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is one of the many dental issues we can help with. Our skilled dentists in Frederick, MD, offer care for patients with sleep apnea.
Our dental team will work with you to check your smile and address your symptoms. Since sleep apnea can have serious health risks, it’s important to see your doctor first if you think you have it. Doctors usually recommend a sleep study to find out how severe your sleep apnea is. Once diagnosed, our dental practice can help with mild to moderate cases of sleep apnea.
What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
OSA is a serious sleep problem where people stop breathing many times during the night. This happens because the airway gets blocked partly or completely while they sleep. The muscles in the throat and tongue relax too much, causing the airway to collapse or narrow.
When this blockage occurs, the person can’t breathe, which means their body isn’t getting enough oxygen. The brain then wakes the person up briefly to restore normal breathing.
Even though these breathing pauses might only last a short time, they can happen many times throughout the night. This can badly affect a person’s sleep and overall health.
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
You might have obstructive sleep apnea if you notice pauses in your breathing or shallow breaths while you sleep. Loud snoring is the most common sign. The symptoms can differ from person to person and depend on how severe the condition is.
Other common symptoms of sleep apnea include:
- Loud and chronic snoring
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Frequent headaches
- Daytime fatigue and poor concentration
- Irritability and mood swings that are out of character
- Insomnia
- Frequently using the restroom at night
- Dry mouth or sore throat
- Restless sleep and tossing and turning
- High blood pressure
Treatment for Sleep Apnea in Frederick, MD
If you have trouble breathing and keep waking up at night, it’s time to get treatment. Frederick Center for Dentistry can help with sleep apnea. Our treatments will effectively keep your airway open while you sleep.
At our Frederick office, we offer custom devices for people with mild to moderate sleep apnea. These devices are like custom mouthguards. They keep your airway open by adjusting your jaw and tongue position while you sleep.
Dr. Anshu Goyal will check if your snoring is due to sleep apnea with a detailed evaluation. If needed, he might suggest using an oral appliance. Some common devices include the Panthera Digital-Sleep Apnea Device, Whole You™, Micro 2 ProSomnus®, and SomnoDent Avant™.
We usually suggest trying a night guard and losing weight first. A night guard is the simplest and most comfortable option. It’s similar to a mouthguard but is made to help open your airway and relax your jaw muscles for better sleep.
If your sleep apnea is severe, you might need CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) Therapy. This device provides a steady flow of air through a mask or nasal prongs, keeping your airway open no matter how you sleep.
Surgery is usually the last option if other treatments don’t work. It’s considered for people with severe symptoms, like extra tissue in the throat or a deviated septum. Your doctor will recommend surgery only when other treatments fail.
Sleep Apnea Risk Factors
One of the biggest risk factors is being overweight or obese. Excess weight can lead to fatty deposits around the upper airway, making it easier for the airway to collapse during sleep. The most common form of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). In many cases, losing even a small amount of weight can decrease the severity of symptoms.
Another risk factor for sleep apnea is age. Sleep apnea is more common in adults over 40, although it can affect people of all ages, including children. As people age, their muscles, including those in the throat, tend to lose tone and become more relaxed. This relaxation can lead to a blocked airway, especially during deep sleep when the body is fully relaxed.
Gender also plays a role in sleep apnea risk. Men are more likely than women to develop sleep apnea. However, the risk for women increases after menopause. Hormones play a part in keeping the airway open, and as hormone levels change with age, the likelihood of sleep apnea rises. Women who snore or feel unusually tired after a full night’s sleep should consider getting tested, especially if they are in or past menopause.
Another factor is family history. Sleep apnea sometimes runs in families, possibly due to shared physical traits or lifestyle factors that affect breathing. For example, some people inherit physical traits like a naturally narrow throat or a thicker neck, making the airway more likely to collapse. If someone in the family has sleep apnea, it’s wise to be aware of symptoms and consider early screening.
Lifestyle habits can also contribute to sleep apnea. Smoking, for example, can increase the risk of sleep apnea because it causes inflammation and fluid retention in the upper airway, making it harder to keep the airway open. Drinking alcohol or using sedatives before bed also increases the risk, as these substances relax the muscles, including those in the throat. This relaxation can make the airway more prone to obstruction during sleep.
Another significant risk factor is certain medical conditions. Conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease are often linked with sleep apnea. People with these conditions should know that sleep apnea could worsen their symptoms or make managing them more difficult. Furthermore, nasal congestion from allergies or sinus issues can also make breathing during sleep harder, especially if someone primarily breathes through their mouth.
How Sleep Apnea Impacts You
Sleep apnea can cause issues in the short and long term. These can be severe and interfere with daily life.
Daytime Fatigue and Poor Focus
Sleep apnea constantly disrupts sleep, leaving people exhausted during the day, even after a full night’s rest. This constant fatigue makes it harder to concentrate, remember information, and stay alert. For tasks like driving and working, sleep apnea increases the risk of accidents because sleep-deprived individuals are more prone to mistakes and slowed reaction times.
Mood Changes and Irritability
Along with physical tiredness, sleep apnea can negatively impact mood. When sleep is consistently interrupted, it’s common to experience irritability and mood swings. People with untreated sleep apnea may feel frustrated, short-tempered, or less able to handle stress, which can affect relationships and social interactions.
Headaches and Dry Mouth
Sleep apnea often causes people to wake up with a dull or throbbing headache due to decreased oxygen levels in the brain during sleep. These morning headaches can make it hard to start the day and focus on responsibilities. Additionally, sleep apnea sufferers may wake up with a sore throat or dry mouth because they frequently breathe through their mouths as they struggle for air.
Heart Health Risks
Sleep apnea poses significant risks to heart health. Each pause in breathing lowers oxygen levels, putting stress on the heart and increasing blood pressure. Over time, this strain can lead to serious cardiovascular issues like high blood pressure, heart attacks, strokes, and irregular heartbeats. Studies have shown that untreated sleep apnea can significantly raise the risk of heart disease, especially for those with other health concerns like obesity or smoking habits.
Increased Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
Sleep apnea also affects how the body processes blood sugar, increasing the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. The constant sleep interruptions alter the body’s ability to regulate insulin and blood sugar levels, leading to insulin resistance. People with untreated sleep apnea are more likely to develop diabetes, particularly if they also have other risk factors like weight gain or a family history of the disease.
Mental Health and Cognitive Decline
Untreated sleep apnea can also contribute to mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. Over time, chronic sleep deprivation alters brain chemistry and function, impacting cognitive abilities and emotional balance. Many people with sleep apnea experience memory lapses, slower decision-making, and feelings of sadness or frustration. This impact on mental well-being can reduce overall quality of life, as staying focused, energized, and positive becomes harder.
Weakened Immune System
Sleep is crucial for a strong immune response, and chronic interruptions from sleep apnea weaken the immune system. People with untreated sleep apnea are more prone to colds and infections and have longer recovery times. A weakened immune system also means higher susceptibility to illnesses, making it harder to maintain overall health.
Sleep Apnea FAQs
To learn more about sleep apnea, read through our frequently asked questions. If you still have more questions, please feel free to reach out to our dental office during normal business hours.
What Are The Common Causes Of Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea can happen to anyone, but certain things make it more likely. Men over 40 are at higher risk, especially if they have other risk factors. Gaining weight quickly is a common cause because extra fat around the neck and throat can press on the airway, making it more likely to close up during sleep.
Smoking also increases the risk because it can irritate and inflame the airway, causing blockages. If you have a large neck, it might mean there’s extra tissue around your airway, which can make breathing harder while you sleep.
How Can A Mouthguard Help With Sleep Apnea?
A custom-made mouthguard, or oral appliance, can help manage sleep apnea, especially in mild to moderate cases. This device will fit your mouth comfortably so you can wear it all night. The mouthguard works by gently moving your jaw forward, which helps keep your airway open by stopping the soft tissues in your throat from collapsing. This can reduce or even stop snoring and apnea episodes, helping you sleep better.
For more severe cases, a CPAP machine, which uses air pressure to keep the airway open, might be needed. But a night guard can be a good option for those who find CPAP uncomfortable.
What Are The Health Risks Associated With Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is more than just loud snoring—it’s a serious condition that can affect your health. Without treatment, it can lead to chronic problems like high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and strokes. Not getting enough oxygen during sleep puts stress on your heart, raising the risk of heart attacks and irregular heartbeats.
Sleep apnea can also make it harder to control blood sugar, which is why it’s linked to diabetes. The constant sleep interruptions can leave you tired during the day, increasing the risk of accidents and affecting your quality of life. Managing sleep apnea is important because untreated, it can shorten your life by 12 to 15 years.
What Can Make Sleep Apnea Worse?
Certain habits and sleep positions can make sleep apnea worse. For example, sleeping on your back can make it worse because it lets your tongue and the soft tissues in your throat fall back, blocking your airway. On the other hand, sleeping on your side can keep your airway open, reducing apnea episodes.
Drinking alcohol and using sedatives can also make sleep apnea worse because they relax the muscles in your throat too much, making it easier for the airway to close. Gaining weight, especially around the neck, can make the airway smaller and increase the severity of sleep apnea.
Can You Have Apnea In The Daytime?
Most people with sleep apnea have the worst symptoms at night, but some might have breathing problems during the day too. Sleep apnea can lower your oxygen levels, which might cause shallow breathing or shortness of breath during the day. Daytime symptoms like feeling very tired, having trouble focusing, and even falling asleep during activities can show that sleep apnea is affecting you throughout the day. Getting the right treatment for sleep apnea can help reduce these daytime problems and improve your energy and focus.
What Physically Causes Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea can be caused by a few physical factors. Obesity is a major cause because extra fat around the neck can press on the airway, making it more likely to close during sleep. Enlarged tonsils or adenoids, especially in kids, can also block the airway.
Hormonal changes, like those during menopause, can change how you breathe and increase the risk of sleep apnea. Central sleep apnea, which is less common, happens when the brain doesn’t signal the muscles to breathe correctly. Staying healthy by keeping a normal weight, exercising, and not smoking can help prevent or manage sleep apnea.
For more information on custom night guards for sleep apnea in Frederick, MD, call us at 301-264-5680 or request an appointment online. Our expert dentists in Frederick can help you find relief from sleep apnea.