Is It Bad to Leave Sleep Apnea Untreated?
Sleep apnea, a common but potentially serious sleep disorder, often goes undiagnosed due to the lack of awareness and understanding of its implications. At Distinctive Dental Solutions, we believe in educating our patients about the importance of recognizing and treating sleep apnea, as leaving it untreated could lead to severe health complications. We’re here to help you understand the importance of seeking help if you have the symptoms of sleep apnea.
Understanding Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea refers to a range of disorders, with the most common being obstructive sleep apnea. This occurs when your throat muscles relax intermittently, blocking your airways during sleep. The temporary relaxation of soft tissues in your throat, like your tongue and soft palate, narrows or closes your airway, momentarily cutting off breathing.
This sleeping disorder causes breathing to stop and start repeatedly during sleep. When the body senses a lack of oxygen, it forces a person to wake up. However, sleep apnea disrupts circadian rhythms, imbalances body and brain chemistry, interrupts cardiac and respiratory function, elevates blood pressure, and speeds up heart rate.
The Impact of Untreated Sleep Apnea
If sleep apnea continues untreated, it can lead to higher mortality rates. It potentially poses a long-term danger to your overall health, leading to high blood pressure, cardiac-related issues, and low blood oxygen level, among other things.
Sleep apnea not only disrupts your sleep and leaves you feeling exhausted during the day, but it can also make it hard for you to concentrate, cause mood swings, and result in a headache when you wake up.
Recognizing the Symptoms
Recognizing the symptoms of sleep apnea is the first step toward treatment. If you or your partner notice symptoms such as gasping, snorting, or choking noises during sleep, frequent waking up, loud snoring, or intermittent breathing, it is time to consult a doctor.
During the day, excessive tiredness, difficulty concentrating, mood swings, and morning headaches may also indicate sleep apnea.
Seeking Treatment for Sleep Apnea
At Distinctive Dental Solutions, we understand the severity of sleep apnea and the importance of treating it. Treatments range from using a mouthpiece while sleeping to devices that use positive pressure to keep airways open. These mouthpieces are built according to your specific needs, helping you manage your sleep apnea and protect your health.
Call Our Office to Begin
Sleep apnea is a serious condition that should not go untreated. It can drastically affect your quality of life and lead to long-term health issues if not addressed promptly. At Distinctive Dental Solutions, we are committed to providing education and individualized attention to help our patients understand and manage their dental health effectively.
If you or your loved one are experiencing symptoms of sleep apnea, do not hesitate to reach out to us. Our team at Distinctive Dental Solutions is dedicated to ensuring the overall health and quality of life for every person with whom we serve. Let us be your proactive partner in your journey towards better dental health. Your new smile starts here.
