What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a medical condition characterized by an impaired ability to breathe while sleeping. Unfortunately, many people who have sleep apneaare unaware they suffer from the condition.
The most common symptom of sleep apnea is snoring. Though many people consider snoring a normal part of life, the truth is it can severely impact your health. As we sleep, the soft tissues and muscles of the throat typically relax and narrow our air passages. When the velocity of our breath increases to compensate for this narrowed pathway, these soft tissues can vibrate and produce the snoring sound.
While snoring may sound like merely an inconvenience for you or your partner, it could also indicate sleep apnea. People with this condition experience pauses in their breathing and may frequently wake up gasping for air. The continuous disruption of your sleep patterns can lead to much more serious concerns, including:
- High blood pressure
- Gastric reflux
- Morning headaches
- Weight gains
- Compromised attention/memory
- Heart disease
Fortunately, at The Art of Dentistry, we offer a number of treatments that can ease or eliminate the symptoms of sleep apnea by improving your ability to breathe while you sleep.
Contact The Art of Dentistry
To learn how our cosmetic dentistry patients have benefited from our sleep apnea treatments, or to schedule a consultation, please contact us today.