“Lights, Camera, Snooze!” Find Out Which Celebrities Can Relate to Your Sleep Apnea

Do you snore or gasp in your sleep? So do a surprisingly long list of celebrities, including President Joe Biden and TV star Rosie O’Donnell. These popularity powerhouses might be able to put on a brave face, but sleep apnea symptoms can be so severe that they affect your focus, health, and quality of life.

Fortunately, many of our favorite media personalities have experienced sleep improvements after receiving treatment. To solve your less-than-glamorous sleeping woes, you don’t need a million-dollar contract – just your dentist. Keep reading to learn more about this condition and pick up some interesting facts about Hollywood hotshots.

Lines, Please! What is Sleep Apnea?

Simply put, sleep apnea is a type of sleeping disorder that results in troubled breathing while you’re trying to drift off to Dreamville. You might not even be aware of it, as these micro-pauses aren’t always startling enough to fully wake you up. The problem is that your unpredictable breaths also prevent you from fully falling asleep.

There are two subcategories of sleep apnea: central sleep apnea and obstructive sleep apnea.

• Central sleep apnea occurs when your brain doesn’t send the proper breathing signals to your body.
• Obstructive sleep apnea is more common and occurs when your soft oral tissues obstruct your airflow.

Either way, as you’re probably able to guess just from the definitions, sleep apnea makes it very difficult to reap the benefits of a full night’s rest!

Enter Stage Right: Celebrities with Sleep Apnea

Now, moving on to our opening act – the show you’ve been waiting for! Here’s a list of notable celebrities that share your sleep disorder.

• James T. Kirk – that is, William Shatner – suffers from sleep apnea.
• Retired basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal was so desperate for a full night’s rest that he visited Harvard for sleep tests and diagnosis.
• Regis Philbin, the host of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” sought out a sleep study because his snoring kept his wife awake. Now that’s relatable.
•  You might recognize former Texas Governor Rick Perry. Can you imagine campaigning while suffering from sleep apnea? Yikes.
• A moment of silence for Shonda Lynn Rhimes, the woman we can thank for “Grey’s Anatomy” and “How to Get Away with Murder”. As if screenwriting and producing weren’t exhausting enough.

Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. Our actors may now exit stage left. But that’s not all! Stay tuned to find out whether a common, everyday hero can save you from sleep apnea.

Why You Should Phone Your Dentist, Not an Agent

An agent may or may not be able to line you up with a life changing gig, but your friendly neighborhood dentist could help you sleep deeply enough to dream about it! By custom-making a non-invasive oral appliance, your dentist can encourage your jaw to shift forward. This helps move the soft tissue obstructing your airflow out of the way so you can breathe easy and sleep efficiently.

Amy Poehler, beloved for her role in “Parks and Recreation,” told the HuffPost that her CPAP machine, while useful, tends to stay in the closet. If you thought, “that sounds like me!” give your dentist a call. They’ll help you find a best-fit solution that will finally close the curtains on your sleep apnea.

About the Practice

Our team of dentists at The Woodlands Dental Group are highly experienced. Familiar with both dental sleep apnea therapy and the community, this dynamic duo will turn the spotlight on you and make sure you receive quality and personalized care. To contact our office, call 281-783-3419 or visit our website for more information.