Though a common condition adversely affecting the lives of many, sleep apnea remains undiagnosed in a large number of individuals. Sleep apnea is a disorder in which breathing patterns are continuously interrupted while sleeping, leading to inadequate oxygen reaching the brain and other vital tissues. Often recognized initially by snoring and shortness of breath during the night, sleep apnea leaves its sufferers tired, irritable and at risk of serious health conditions due to lack of quality sleep and oxygen deprivation.
Are Sleep Apnea Symptoms Impacting Your Quality of Life?
Beyond snoring and breathing difficulties, sleep apnea symptoms encompass a number of secondary effects caused by the disorder. The following sleep apnea symptoms may be affecting your quality of life and inducing other health-related concerns:
- Headaches: Chronic, migraine or morning headaches may result from an insufficient amount of oxygen reaching the brain, or nighttime teeth grinding associated with sleep apnea.
- Teeth Grinding: Sleep apnea places a great amount of stress on the body, often leading to the habit of grinding the teeth together while sleeping.
- Jaw Alignment: The position of the lower jaw plays a critical role in the onset of sleep apnea. If the jaw has a tendency to retract towards the back of the mouth, soft tissue may block the airway and cause breathing interruption.
- Bruxism: Habitual, excessive teeth clenching and grinding (bruxism) and sleep apnea may exhibit a cyclical relationship, in that either can lead to the presence of each and promote the persistence of the other.
- TMJ: Damage to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) can affect the positioning of the lower jaw while sleeping, potentially allowing it to fall back towards the head. This posterior position of the jaw and placement of soft tissues may block proper airflow, thus leading to sleep apnea.
The sleep apnea symptoms mentioned here along with a number of others impinge on oral health and overall comfort, causing chronic, debilitating conditions in some individuals. Any symptoms of sleep apnea deserve prompt attention to achieve a proper diagnosis and ward off harmful secondary effects.
Who Can Diagnose and Treat Sleep Apnea?
Though sleep specialists typically diagnose sleep apnea, these professionals along with qualified dentists alike are equipped to treat the condition. Whether sleep apnea symptoms are only starting to affect your life or you have been suffering with the condition for some time, immediate diagnosis and treatment are recommended, as some effects of the sleep disorder can cause serious damage to systemic health. Contact your dentist today for more information on sleep apnea diagnosis and treatment.
Identifying Common Triggers for TMJ
May 15, 2017
Temporomandibular joint disorders can be irritating at the best of times and downright scary at the worst. These disorders affect the hinges at the sides of the jaw, causing pain, stiffness and occasionally even locking of the jaw. While there are many things that can cause TMJ, factors that exacerbate it are fairly universal across […]
Read MoreFalling Asleep at Work? Might Be Sleep Apnea
May 13, 2017
If you are having trouble staying awake at work because the quality of sleep you are getting at night is not the best, you may suffer from sleep apnea. Even if you have not heard of it before, it is a very common condition that can interfere with your ability to sleep well at night. […]
Read More3 Reasons to Get Your Sleep Apnea Treated Now
May 7, 2017
According to some estimates, about 20 million people in the U.S. suffer from sleep apnea but as many as 80 percent of them do not get the disorder treated. There are several problems you may be experiencing that could be caused by this common sleep issue, including: Daytime drowsiness Snoring that upsets your partner Difficulty concentrating […]
Read MoreWhy Talk to Your Dental Care Provider About Treating Your Sleep Apnea?
April 28, 2017
Everyone deals with a certain amount of stress in their lives. In fact, stress is so common amongst Americans that the Healthcare Resource Network has officially sponsored April as Stress Awareness Month. For many, the best way to relieve the stress and tension in their lives a good night of rest. But for 18 million […]
Read MoreReduce Your Stress And Treat Your Sleep Apnea
April 17, 2017
If you wake up feeling more exhausted than you did when you went to sleep, there’s a chance you have sleep apnea. As part of Stress Awareness Month, Drs. Dan Knellinger, Stacy Verkler and Carol Bou-Sliman are here to educate you on this sleeping disorder and how it can be treated with a simple visit […]
Read MoreWhy Sleep Awareness Month Should Matter to You
March 27, 2017
March is National Sleep Awareness Month, and it is the perfect time to evaluate your own sleep patterns and make sure you are getting sufficient sleep for your health needs. Dr. John Cervenka is an experienced dentist in Hunters Creek, FL, who offers sleep apnea treatment to help improve the quality of your nighttime sleep. […]
Read MoreNational Sleep Awareness Week: Important Facts About Sleep Apnea and TMJ
March 17, 2017
Adequate sleep is essential for overall health and there are several things that can affect the quality and quantity of your sleep. Many people overlook the part that oral health plays in overall wellness, including how issues such as sleep apnea and TMJ can negatively affect sleep. If you are struggling with dental issues that […]
Read MoreCould Sleep Apnea Be the Culprit Behind Your Energy Loss and Brain Fog?
February 23, 2017
Have you felt unusually tired lately, no matter how much sleep you get at night? Or, are you affected by “brain fog” and have a difficult time concentrating? If so, sleep apnea may be the culprit behind your symptoms. This common condition can keep you from getting quality sleep at night, so you feel exhausted […]
Read MoreThe Compact Guide to Sleep Apnea
February 23, 2017
Do you snore at night and struggle to stay awake during the day? If so, then you may be one of the 22 million Americans who have sleep apnea. Fortunately for patients in Duval County and the surrounding areas, Dr. Kathryn Ryan is a leading prosthodontist in Jacksonville, FL, who offers sleep apnea treatment. What […]
Read MoreDo You Have Sleep Apnea?
February 17, 2017
There may be plenty of activities that you can either participate in or avoid in order to reduce your risk of developing certain health issues. Yet almost all of these are done while you are awake. What about when you are sleeping? Currently millions of Americans may be increasing their risks of developing chronic health […]
Read More