If untreated, sleep apnea, a sleeping disorder, can lead to serious health problems like high blood pressure and cardiac problems. Untreated sleep apnea can stop breathing in sleep, resulting in loud snoring and daytime weariness even with a full night’s sleep.
Chronic sleep apnea can also cause several cardiac disorders, including high blood pressure, stroke, cardiomyopathy, heart failure, diabetes, and cardiac arrest. For the treatment of apnea, you should visit your Tupelo dentist as soon as possible.
Types of Sleep Apnea
Following are the two types mentioned below:
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
This type is a prevalent disease among people. Repetitive episodes of full or partial upper airway obstruction while you sleep are what cause obstructive sleep apnea.
Central Sleep Apnea
While the airway is not blocked in cases with central sleep apnea, the brain is unable to instruct the muscles to breathe because the respiratory control center is unstable.
The Symptoms
You may be wondering how you know you have sleep apnea. It can be challenging to differentiate between obstructive and central sleep apnea since their signs and symptoms sometimes resemble. The most typical warning signs of sleep apnea are as follows:
- Snoring loudly
- Episodes where you stop breathing while sleeping, which anyone else might notice
- Breathing heavily when sleeping
- Dry mouth upon awakening
- Daytime headache
- Having trouble remaining asleep (insomnia)
- Excessive sleep during the day (hypersomnia)
- Inability to concentrate while awake
- Irritability
Cause of Sleep Apnea
The airway becomes blocked due to obstructive sleep apnea, which frequently happens when the soft tissue in the back of the throat contracts while you’re asleep. Patients with CNS disorders, such as those having strokes or neuromuscular problems, are frequently diagnosed with central sleep apnea.
Is Sleep Apnea Genetic?
Combinations of genetic, physiological, and behavioral factors, many of which are yet unknown, can lead to this disorder. According to studies, the disorder can be more likely to occur when several different genes, each of which has a minor effect, are altered.
Can Sleep Apnea Cause Weight Gain?
Obesity and weight gain can both be caused by obstructed breathing during sleep. According to research, over 40% of persons who are obese have obstructive sleep apnea, and 70% of those with this condition are also overweight.
Can You Have this disorder Without Snoring
You can snore loudly without having sleep apnea, and you can even snore a lot without having the condition. Due to their frequent breathing disruptions, people with sleep apnea may also experience unexplained exhaustion and mood fluctuations. This occurs because their breathing interruptions keep them from falling into a deep, healthy sleep.
Pillow Wedge for Sleep Apnea
The best pillow for sleep apnea can help reduce the signs of the condition, including snoring and breathing issues.
Pillows may not be helpful for persons with central sleep apnea. The most prevalent type of sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea, is brought on by the muscles in the throat collapsing and can be prevented by using the right pillow.
With the help of these pillows, you can improve your posture and help prevent conditions like acid reflux and obstructive sleep apnea.
Wrapping Up
People often experience sleep apnea, which causes their breathing to halt while asleep. It may be a symptom of an underlying disease and cause weariness and difficulty concentrating.
Anyone who feels sleepy during the day should consult a sleep apnea doctor, who can help them determine the cause and the best course of action for treatment.
If you frequently have trouble falling asleep or experience daytime sleepiness, you should speak with Dr. Robert Thornton in Tupelo. He will prescribe the appropriate sleep apnea medicine and home remedies to treat this condition.