Everybody knows how important quality sleep is for your health, which is why anything that disrupts you from getting a good night’s sleep is a big issue that needs to be resolved. So, we need to get to the root of the problem – what causes sleep apnea? Is there a way to get rid of it and finally wake up rested? Let’s dive into solving this issue together.
What Is Sleep Apnea and How Does It Affect Us?
Have you ever woken up during the night abruptly, feeling as if all the air has gone out of your lungs? If you have, you’ve probably experienced a very common condition called sleep apnea. For those who may not know, sleep apnea is a sleeping disorder that causes you to stop breathing during your sleep and wake up.
This loss of breath can happen as many as a hundred times a night, and while it’s not fatal or dangerous on its own, sleep apnea doesn’t allow you to get the rest you need in order for your body to function properly, and it can cause long term issues down the road. This sleeping disorder affects as much as 5-10% of the entire world’s population, and most people who have it aren’t even aware they’re harming their health.
Who Is Most Likely to Get Sleep Apnea?
With millions of people affected by this problem all over the world, it’s safe to say it’s a pretty common issue. And while everyone is at risk of getting it, there are certain types of people with increased risk of sleep apnea, such as:
- Older people (both men and women above the age of 50)
- Obese and overweight people,
- People with cardiovascular issues,
- People who live at high altitudes.
What Are the Most Common Symptoms?
Sleep apnea is not something that should be taken lightly. While you may think that it’s just waking up a few times at night and probably not even remembering it happened, sleep apnea can cause very serious problems if not treated in time. Sleep is one of the most important aspects of good health, and sleep apnea deeply disturbs your sleep cycle, which means your entire immune system is compromised over time. That’s why it’s so vital to notice the symptoms of sleep apnea in time so you can treat it as early as possible.
For starters, you will notice you’re always having trouble waking up, and that you’re always tired, no matter how many hours you’ve spent sleeping. If you wake up tired even when you fall asleep at 10pm and get the full 8 hours you need, it may be a symptom of sleep apnea. This feeling tired all the time also leads to daytime drowsiness and severe mood changes you haven’t experienced before, and those are other symptoms of sleep apnea you shouldn’t ignore.
One of the main symptoms is snoring – even though it’s not a mandatory symptom, most people who have sleep apnea noticed they started snoring all of a sudden. If you remember waking up multiple times throughout the night, you should be aware that there’s a high probability you have sleep apnea.
By constantly being tired, you will notice other symptoms during the day, such as headaches, memory loss, not being able to focus and concentrate on work, and so on. If you notice any of these symptoms, make sure to visit your doctor and get diagnosed. Luckily, even your general dentistry Charlotte, NC, will have some treatments that can help. Your Charlotte dentist in South Park can provide you with an oral appliance that can significantly reduce and help with the tiring effects of sleep apnea.
What Causes Sleep Apnea in Adults?
In order to fix a problem, you must get down to its root first. The question of what causes this issue needs to be addressed as two questions – what causes central sleep apnea and what causes obstructive sleep apnea? There is also a third type – complex or mixed sleep apnea that features symptoms of both central and obstructive sleep apnea, and also shares their causes. Let’s see what are the causes of the two main types.
The Most Common Type – Obstructive Sleep Apnea
When it comes to sleep apnea, the most common type people face is the obstructive one. Obstructive sleep apnea is a result of bad airflow – the muscles in the back of your throat relax, causing your airway to become more narrow and not allow enough air to get through. With the lower oxygen level, your brain gets the information that you can’t breathe properly and quickly forces you to wake up, relaxing your airway. If you happen to wake up in the middle of the night by choking or gasping, this is probably why.
Central Sleep Apnea
This is the less common kind, and it’s usually taken a bit more seriously as it’s tougher to cure. Central sleep apnea is not an issue caused by your throat muscles, but your brain activity. The part of your brain that is responsible for controlling your breathing fails to send proper signals while you’re sleeping, causing you to wake up abruptly. Certain damages to the nervous system and other conditions, such as heart failure can cause central sleep apnea.
Now That You Know What Causes Sleep Apnea – Come to Aspire Dental Wellness and Fix It
As a clinic that takes pride in its holistic approach to dentistry and takes care of your entire well-being, Aspire Dental Wellness knows how valuable good sleep is for a healthy mind and body. That’s why our one and only Charlotte, NC, dentist Dr. Sladjana Bjelac has mastered the technique of getting rid of sleep apnea.
So, if you want to finally experience what it’s like to sleep soundly through the night, contact us today, schedule an appointment with our periodontist in Charlotte, NC, and get the sleep apnea treatment you need. Our team will make sure to answer any questions or concerns you may have along the way, and in no time – you’ll be sleeping like a baby even without the melatonin.
