Is your partner usually nudging you a few times throughout the night, telling you to quit snoring? You wonder, “Will I ever wake up fully energized and rested?” These could be a few of many signs of a serious sleeping disorder, obstructive sleep apnea.
If you’re not sure this is an accurate diagnosis, your dentist is here to explain the most common symptoms of sleep apnea and help you receive sleep apnea treatment in Dublin.
5 Signs of Obstructive Sleep Apnea You Should Be Aware Of
1. Snoring
One of the most commonly known symptoms of sleep apnea is chronic snoring. Snoring can be extremely loud, even waking you loved ones that sleep nearby. What happens when you snore is your body resetting your breathing pattern.
Sleep apnea causes pauses in breathing. When your body kicks back into gear, your breathing may start in a choking or snoring sound.
2. Extreme Fatigue
This is another very common symptom of sleep apnea—and dangerous! Many people with this sleeping disorder feel sleepy during the day and find it difficult to focus on even the simplest tasks. This can be threatening to the person affected and their loved ones by ruining relationships and even putting their lives at risk when they’re driving.
3. Dry Mouth/A Sore Throat
While you struggle to breath at night, your mouth may stay open. When you wake up, you may have an extremely dry mouth or even a sore throat from time to time. Chronic dry mouth poses its own health risks to your smile and can cause bad breath.
4. Constant Headaches in the Morning
Since you’re most likely sleep deprived from having your REM sleep cycle interrupted, you can begin to have chronic headaches. Not only does this affect your mood, but your productivity throughout the day. Severe sleep apnea can be directly linked to migraines.
5. Frequent Mood Changes
When your sleep is constantly interrupted it can be difficult to find regularity within the rest of your life—including your mood. Your body doesn’t have the opportunity to recharge, easily leading to mood swings. Severe sleep apnea could be linked to depression and severe mood disorders.
How Can a Dentist Help?
If you live alone, it can be difficult to pinpoint your reason for any of the symptoms listed above. That’s why it’s important to visit a dental professional for assistance. Your dentist can help you evaluate your sleep habits with written tests and a referral to a trusted sleep physician.
In the cases that you do have sleep apnea, you may be treated with a CPAP machine to regulate breathing or an oral appliance to keep your breathing ways clear. Either easy, you’ll feel rejuvenated after your first full night of rest!
About Our Office
Everyone knows that you feel like a million bucks when you get a good night of uninterrupted sleep. That’s why our team at Distinctive Smiles believe in helping patients find a solution for their sleep issues. It’s as easy as answering a few questions with your dentist in Dublin, Dr. Buck. Give us a call today to schedule your next visit.