Sleep Apnea: What happens to my body?

Sleep Apnea: What happens to my body?

Your body needs oxygen and rest to function properly. A lack of oxygen or the inability to sustain deep levels of sleep can impair your health, sour your mood, and present serious safety issues. Not only is your safety at risk, but you must also consider the safety of those around you.

When you suffer from sleep apnea, you are unable to breathe properly and sleep deeply, and the condition is impossible to control on your own. Fortunately, your dentist can diagnose the disorder and help you to receive the care that is necessary to restore your health.

A common symptom of sleep apnea is disruptive snoring, a sign which is often ignored or unrecognized. Thunderous snoring should be investigated, however, since it is sometimes accompanied by repeated episodes in which the ability to breathe is interrupted.

At each instance in which breathing is interrupted, oxygen is unable to pass through the nose or throat. These episodes may last for a few seconds or for many seconds, and may occur a few times each hour or hundreds of times throughout the night.

In response to this stress, the sleep pattern becomes interrupted and the patient may actually wake up, gasping for air several times each night. You may not be able to achieve enough deep sleep to properly recharge your body, and may wake in the morning feeling tired or groggy before even starting your day.

In time, the lack of sleep may affect your ability to concentrate during the day, or leave you feeling irritable or without patience. Unfortunately, there are also many systemic effects such as an increase in your risk for heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and obesity.

Your oral surgeon has the expertise to evaluate your symptoms and provide the necessary treatment. Your treatment may include changes in your current lifestyle, a custom-fitted mouthguard, a breathing apparatus, or surgery. In addition, a sleep study may be coordinated with your physician to evaluate the extent of your sleep disorder.

Find out how to prevent sleep apnea’s effect on your body by calling Charlottesville Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Center to schedule a consultation today.