The Silent Struggle: Understanding the Impact of Snoring and Sleep Apnea on Your Sleep and Health
Did you know your sleep is as vital as diet and exercise? Yet, many patients don’t enjoy a good night’s sleep because of sleep-related breathing disorders like sleep apnea and snoring. Sarasota Center for General Dentistry understands the importance of sleep in your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. If you suffer from sleep disorders, Dr. Francisco Marcano and the team offer several treatments to restore your health.
How snoring affects your life
Snoring is a common sleep-related breathing disorder that is often characterized by noisy breathing during sleep. Snoring occurs when airflow through the mouth and nose is partially obstructed, causing vibrations of the soft tissues in the throat, nose, or mouth. These vibrations produce the characteristic sound of snoring.
Snoring can be mild or severe and can happen intermittently or chronically. Several causes of snoring include poor sleeping position, nasal congestion, alcohol consumption, obesity, etc. Snoring can interrupt your sleep and that of your bed partner, ruining your relationship.
Obstructive sleep apnea: More than snoring
While occasional snoring isn’t anything to worry about, chronic snoring may be a symptom of a more severe sleep disorder called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This sleep-disordered breathing problem occurs when the airway becomes completely blocked during sleep, causing stoppages in breathing. As a result, this deprives your body of much-needed oxygen and healthy sleep.
Besides snoring, some of the signs of OSA include:
- Waking up while gasping for air
- Morning headaches
- Dry mouth
- Irritability
- Mood changes
- Daytime fatigue or sleepiness
- Insomnia
- Loss of sex drive
If left untreated, OSA can increase the risk of cardiovascular problems, hypertension, diabetes and other health issues. Good news! Sleep apnea is easily treatable when diagnosed early.
Treating sleep apnea with oral appliance therapy
When you have chronic snoring or OSA, you don’t have to use surgery or other invasive treatments. A simple customized oral appliance, like a mouthguard, can help combat your sleep disorder for healthy living. But how does it work?
A sleep apnea appliance fits snugly in your mouth and repositions your lower jaw forward, creating more space in the airway. This way, there is enough room to breathe easily without blockage. Additionally, your sleep apnea appliance by holding your jaw in a forward position, prevents your airway from collapsing while you sleep.
Effective snoring and OSA treatments near me
Don’t let sleep apnea or snoring lower your quality of life. Instead, call (941) 900-3555 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Francisco Marcano for effective treatment.