6/12/2018 0 Comments Do I Have Sleep Apnea?Millions of people suffer from sleep apnea, and many are not aware that they have this chronic disorder. Our patients are often surprised when we ask about various sleep-related issues during dental checkups. We do this because there are numerous signs and symptoms of sleep apnea that many people do not know. In fact, most of our patients are not aware that dental professionals are usually the first to spot signs of sleep apnea and then refer patients to a medical doctor for an official diagnosis.
It is a typical misconception that loud snoring is the only symptom of sleep apnea. There are several indicators of sleep apnea that are commonly noticed by a dentist. These include: • Teeth Grinding- Also called bruxism, teeth grinding occurs along with sleep apnea. Grinding the teeth is one way that the brain signals the body to wake up and breathe. • Jaw Clenching- Recent studies show that the action of jaw clenching occurs as the body’s way of trying to prevent the throat from relaxing too much, as this often leads to sleep apnea. • Dry Mouth- Those who have sleep apnea tend to be mouth breathers. Breathing through the mouth is the body’s way of attempting to get more oxygen. • Worn Teeth- Tooth grinding causes teeth to wear down because of the constant friction. • Morning Headaches- Jaw clenching or tooth grinding often cause these, but a marked lack of oxygen is also a cause of morning head pain. • Broken or Cracked Teeth- Another by-product of bruxism and jaw clenching, these are both symptoms of sleep apnea which motivate patients to see a dentist. • Temporomandibular Joint Disorder- More commonly known as TMJ disorder, this is an issue characterized by painful and stiff jaws. It often comes about because of teeth grinding and jaw clenching. These are both associated with sleep apnea and exacerbate the symptoms of TMJ. While it is true that a specialized medical doctor must officially diagnose sleep apnea, our dentist in Northridge is skilled at finding symptoms and looking for information that indicates sleep apnea. Additionally, there are various dental appliances which are very effective in treating some of the structural causes of sleep apnea. Our dentist can help you find a device to help you overcome sleep apnea. If you have one or more of the symptoms of sleep apnea, do not hesitate to contact our office. We can help get you on the road to a good night's sleep.
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8/24/2017 0 Comments Am I at Risk for Sleep ApneaPeople who suffer from sleep apnea face several health repercussions and struggle to get a good night’s rest. But what should you do avoid this sleeping disorder if you know you are at risk? There are several precautions you can take to lessen your chances of developing sleep apnea. Our sleep apnea specialists are dedicated to helping you receive quality sleep and maintain a high value lifestyle.
Sleep apnea is considered a pause in breathing during sleep that can last anywhere from one to several seconds. These pauses may occur up to thirty times or more during a given hour of sleep. When you are not able to breathe correctly during sleep, it can affect brain function and produce some serious side effects. Patients who are more prone to develop this disorder are males, people who are overweight, people with small airways, and people with a history of sleep apnea or high blood pressure. It is important to take steps to avoid sleep apnea if you know you are at greater risk. Some preventive actions you can take are to lose weight, quit smoking, and avoid alcohol and sleeping pills which will relax the throat before bed. By exercising regularly, you will also reduce your risk of developing this disorder. For more information about sleep apnea, contact our specialists. 6/21/2017 0 Comments Severe Sleep Apnea SignsSleep apnea can range from mild to severe. Mild sleep apnea can be hard to identify, as the signs can be easily mistaken for signs of other health-related issues. A standard appointment with our Thousand Oaks sleep apnea expert will likely be enough to identify severe sleep apnea.
Signs of sleep apnea of this level include: • Excessive sleepiness • Falling asleep uncontrollably • Inability to perform normal functions, such as work or social activities • Considerable weight gain • Diabetic symptoms These are due to the lack of quality sleep achieved, as the blockage of air through the throat causes frequent waking throughout the night. The development of these symptoms can lead to serious health concerns. Patients run the risk of diabetes, accidents due to sleepiness, strokes, and heart conditions. Fortunately, there are several treatments offered by our Thousand Oaks sleep apnea expert. Some simple lifestyle treatments may help considerably, such as a change of sleep position or diet. An oral appliance can shift the lower jaw forward, creating more space in the throat. If this is not successful, a CPAP machine, which supplies consistent air into the system, may show results. Do not let your sleep apnea become severe. See a sleep apnea doctor today. Sleep apnea seems minor, even if you’re the one who has it. But letting your symptoms go unreported or unmonitored could lead to increased cardiovascular and respiratory health problems down the line. Make sure your doctor knows if you have any of the following symptoms, all of which are consistent with a diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea:
• Daytime wakefulness characterized by mood swings and inability to concentrate • Restless sleep • Depression and/or diminished libido • Dry mouth and/or sore throat when you wake up Of course, the most stereotypical symptom of obstructive sleep apnea is snoring. If you sleep alone regularly, you may not notice you do this—especially if the snoring isn’t enough to wake you up. If you have a regular sleeping partner, they’re the first responder to your snoring or erratic breathing during sleep. Children also develop sleep apnea, usually because of tonsils or adenoids. Symptoms in children can be less obvious, or at least less obviously tied to sleep apnea. These may include: • Bedwetting • Night sweats • Daytime drowsiness that may cause difficulty in school • Unusual sleeping positions • Inward movement of the ribcage when the child exhales If you or your child exhibits any of these symptoms, contact our Thousand Oaks sleep apnea expert today. 1/24/2017 0 Comments Do I Have Sleep Apnea?While certain individuals may be more at risk, sleep apnea is a disorder that can affect anyone at any age. Those with this condition will stop breathing during sleep. This can last for a few seconds to more than a minute. These occurrences can happen hundreds of time during the night. You may not even be aware that there is an issue.
There are some indicators that you may suffer from sleep apnea. If you do not feel rested after a full-night of sleep, have insomnia, or wake up a lot during the night, these may be symptoms of trouble. If you wake up with a dry mouth, sore throat, or a headache, or if you snore loudly or have snoring that ends with gagging or gasping, you may want to be evaluated for a potential issue. An expert in sleep apnea in Los Angeles can perform an examination and may recommend a sleep study to help determine the source of the issue. In many cases, the tongue or other soft tissues in the mouth may drop back and obstruct the airway. A special oral appliance may be used to hold your jaw in place. |
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