You May Not Know You Have This Common Condition
Do you believe you’re getting enough sleep each night but still wake up feeling tired and unrested? Has a loved one commented on your snoring? If you answered yes to either of these questions, you may be suffering from a condition that affects an estimated 22 million Americans. Are you one of the many people who are suffering from this without a diagnosis? Read on to learn more about this sleep issue and how you can improve your symptoms.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a condition that causes patients to stop breathing for a short time while they are sleeping. Each time you stop breathing, your brain is alerted to the disruption, causing you to wake. This interrupts your sleeping pattern and causes less than ideal sleeping conditions. The wakeful periods are so brief that many patients are not even aware they have a problem. It is important to be mindful of sleep apnea warning signs that your body is giving you:
- Irritability
- Excessive sleepiness
- Loud snoring at night
- Headaches when you wake in the morning
- Waking up short of breath throughout the night
Ways to Treat Sleep Apnea
Untreated sleep apnea can become detrimental to your health and safety. Excessive sleepiness can cause patients to fall asleep at inopportune times, such as while working or driving. One way to treat sleep apnea is with the use of a customized oral appliance that fits over the teeth. It is a simple solution that we can provide to our patients. We also recommend:
- Exercising for approximately 30 minutes per day
- Sleeping on your side instead of your back
- Losing weight, especially in your upper body, if you are overweight
If you feel that you or a loved one might be suffering from sleep apnea, please reach out to our office located in Houston, TX. We can discuss options for you and if you need an oral device for sleeping, we can help create a custom apparatus for your needs. We can help get your sleep back on track.
