If You Notice These Symptoms, It’s Time to be Tested for Sleep Apnea

A serious condition that over 18 million Americans are suffering from is sleep apnea, which deprives them of the rejuvenating properties that normally come along with getting a proper night’s rest. To receive treatment, though, requires that a person first visit his or her physician to undergo a sleep study. What are the warning signs that it’s time to seek treatment, though? Read on to find out.

What is Sleep Apnea?

For people who are dealing with sleep apnea, a typical night will include repeated pauses in breathing. As a result, the brain sends a distress signal that causes them to awaken repeatedly to restart their breathing.

These lapses in oxygen flow can leave patients more susceptible to a host of serious health problems like hypertension, heart disease, stroke, diabetes and obesity. Thus, any signs of sleep apnea should not be dismissed.

The Warning Signs of Sleep Apnea

If you notice the following warning signs, then you should reach out to your doctor to schedule a sleep test:

• Loud snoring
• Excessive daytime drowsiness
• Struggling for air and making gasping sounds while asleep
• Recurring morning headaches
• Difficulty maintaining mental focus
• Mood swings or depression
• Weight gain and slow metabolism
• Decreased or lost libido

Taking Proactive Steps

If you notice any of the above symptoms, then you should reach out to your primary care physician to schedule a sleep test. Once the results are tabulated, and a diagnosis is made, you can then contact a local sleep dentist to explore the treatment options.

By taking the initiative to get help, you will be able to eventually improve your overall health and get the rest your body desperately needs.

The Treatment Options

When you visit a sleep dentist, you’ll be examined to determine which form of treatment is best suited to meet your needs. Here are the available options:

• Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Machine – The most commonly used form of treating sleep apnea is with a CPAP machine. It consists of a mask, tube and base unit that force air into the throat while you sleep.
• Oral Appliances – For some patients, the CPAP machine doesn’t provide a comfortable experience. An alternative is to use an oral appliance. The specialist will determine which type is best to use to accommodate your needs.
• Combined Therapy – For more acute cases of sleep apnea, combined therapy may be used. This method provides the best of both worlds by maximizing the benefits of what the CPAP machine and an oral appliance have to offer.

If you’ve been missing out on the quality sleep you need to function at your best, then don’t hesitate to be tested so you can then get the help you need from a local sleep dentist.

About the Author

Although he has been practicing dentistry for nearly 40 years since graduating from the University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston, Dr. Robert Dernick has never stopped learning. Thus, he has become one of the leading specialists in treating sleep apnea and sleep breathing disorders (SBD) in the area. Dr. Dernick helps patients overcome sleep apnea at his private practice, and he can be reached for more information through his website.