If you’re suffering from daily fatigue, or have been told that your snoring is out of control, it’s worth your time to check out today’s blog from your friends at Northwest Dental Group so we can help you either rule out sleep apnea or provide solutions if we do determine it’s causing your lack of energy so you can start sleeping and feeling better now!
Let’s Answer Some Common Sleep Apnea Questions!
Here are answers to some of the most common questions related to sleep apnea we often hear from our Rochester patients:
Is a lack of sleep really that serious?
Yes, it absolutely is that serious!
Pulling an all-nighter because you’re a new parent, or because you’re stressed about something at work, or you’re studying for a big exam will come at a price, to be sure, but it won’t pose any long-term threats to your quality of life or your health.
With sleep apnea, you’re talking about sustained deprivation night after night after night, and that can lead to dangerous health problems like heart disease, stroke, and many others.
Is sleep apnea always to blame for loud snoring?
No, not always. You could snore heavily and loudly for a number of reasons, such as after a night of too many cocktails, you’ve taken a sleeping pill, or because of your sleep position.
The difference to look for is whether or not your snoring persists despite efforts to stop it, such as changing your sleep position, avoiding alcohol, or using nasal strips. If it does, you should pay us a visit for a closer look at the problem.
Can sleep apnea be self-diagnosed?
You may be able to trace your symptoms to sleep apnea enough to at least narrow the focus and get closer to solutions. If you’re feeling lethargic all the time, irritable, easily distracted, and you’re snoring pretty heavily, the signs certainly would seem to point that direction.
But other than a lack of energy, you may not even notice the other symptoms yourself. The people who know you best may be the ones to point them out to you, in fact.
If you really want to get to the bottom of it, you need to visit your Rochester dentist for a professional evaluation.
Am I safe from sleep apnea since I’m not overweight?
Not necessarily. Your odds of suffering from sleep apnea are higher if you’re a male, and even higher if you’re overweight.
But the reality is that sleep apnea can affect anyone, even children. There are different types and causes of sleep apnea, so you can’t assume that it can’t happen to you just because you fit into a certain demographic.
Is a CPAP machine the only solution?
While a CPAP is certainly one of the most popular treatment options for sleep apnea, it’s not the only one out there.
It is effective in keeping a steady flow of air moving through your airways so you can sleep without disruption, but a CPAP isn’t right for everyone. It can be noisy, the hose and cord can make it cumbersome, and because of the mask, it can be uncomfortable.
Your Rochester dentist can customize a small oral appliance for you to wear while you sleep so that your jaw stays in a better position to allow air to move freely. This will help you get a more restful night’s sleep without all the trappings of a CPAP machine.
Get Better Sleep Now!
The only way to know for sure if sleep apnea is causing your loud snoring, daily fatigue, and other symptoms is to visit your Rochester dentist for a professional evaluation and effective solutions.
We’ll work to make sure you start sleeping more peacefully soon!
Call Northwest Dental Group today at 507-315-2932 or fill out our online form to schedule an appointment.
