Discover How The Woodlands Sleep Apnea Can Affect Your Overall Health

Have you ever woken up gasping for air? What about the frequent morning headaches that are making it difficult to get out of bed? If you are struggling to make it throughout the day without wanting to fall asleep, there’s a good chance you’re suffering from The Woodlands sleep apnea. This serious sleep disorder can cause more than chronic fatigue or memory loss, it can have negative effects on your overall health. Read on to find out just how serious sleep apnea is and how it can create additional health-related problems if left untreated.

What is Sleep Apnea?

When a patient experiences a brief lapse in breathing while sleeping, this is what is known as sleep apnea. As a result of the airway being blocked, the brain is triggered to alert the body to its need to breathe, which causes a person to wake up, oftentimes gasping for air. Whether this happens once or hundreds of times a night, the person’s blood pressure rises each time breathing stops. This repeated action can lead to a heart attack or stroke.

Breathing may stop as a result of several factors, which include:

• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA): This is when the soft palate and base of the tongue collapse toward the back of the throat, ultimately causing a blocked airway.
• Central sleep apnea (CSA): This is a neurological condition that occurs when the brain ceases to send the body the necessary signal to begin breathing.
• Complex sleep apnea: It is a combination of both OSA and CSA.

What Are the Common Symptoms?

Individuals who suffer from sleep apnea may not know they have it for years. This is because many of The Woodlands sleep apnea symptoms occur at night while one is asleep. Unless there is a partner or someone who notices chronic snoring or sudden stops in breathing, you may have sleep apnea for a long time before you are properly diagnosed. The good thing is there are other symptoms associated with the disorder that don’t include snoring or a lapse in breathing. These include:

• Daytime drowsiness
• Morning headaches
• Sore throat or dry mouth
• Persistent weight gain or difficulty losing weight
• Difficulty concentration or remembering things
• Irritability
• Sexual dysfunction

How Can It Affect My Overall Health?

If left untreated, sleep apnea can create a myriad of problems for your overall health. Not only can you experience high blood pressure, but you can be at risk for a heart attack or stroke. It can also cause problems with your neurological function, making it difficult for you to recall certain things.

Sleep apnea is also associated with people who are overweight or obese, which makes diabetes another possible condition you can develop.

If you think you are experiencing some of the symptoms associated with sleep apnea, make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. A sleep study will need to be conducted in order to provide a formal diagnosis.

About the Author
Dr. Robert G. Dernick earned his DDS degree from the University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston in 1979. Considered a dental pioneer in The Woodlands, he opened his first practice in 1980, and he is known as one of the most caring, experienced, and skilled dentists in the area. Discovering more about the field of sleep dentistry, he’s able to provide safe, effective, and non-invasive sleep apnea therapy using custom-made oral appliances. To learn more, contact us via our website or by calling (281) 367-3900.