Have you been told that when you sleep, the sounds of you snoring in Garland reverberate throughout the house? Does your significant other have to resort to placing a pillow over his or her ears at night while slumbering? Your local dentist says these may be signs that you are suffering from sleep apnea and need to be treated. Learn more about this condition and how you can get the relief you need.
What Causes Snoring?
Studies show that almost half of the adults in America are occasional snorers, while 25 percent do it habitually. It’s more common in men and overweight people and is the result of an obstruction in one’s breathing.
Here are some of the more specific reasons that people snore:
- Poor Muscle Tone – When there is poor tone in the tongue or throat muscles, either the tongue relaxes and falls back into the throat, blocking the airway, or the throat muscles relax and somewhat collapse, resulting in restricted airflow.
- Being Overweight – When a person is overweight, there is more soft tissue in the neck that can restrict the flow of oxygen.
- Obstructed Nasal Passageway – A stuffy or blocked nose requires more effort to pull air through it. The result can be that your throat then acts like an exaggerated vacuum, creating the loud snoring sound.
The common trait of all of the above is restricted airflow. One of the results of this can be obstructed sleep apnea (OSA).
What is OSA?
Obstructive sleep apnea is the result of the constant interruption of your airflow while sleeping. As a result, you partially awaken throughout the night in your body’s attempt to oxygenate itself. Quite commonly, the people who suffer from this condition will also be loud snorers.
If you are a heavy snorer, it’s important that you be evaluated for possible sleep apnea in Garland. Here are some of the signs to take notice of:
- Witnessed episodes of breath pauses or apnea during sleep
- Daytime sleepiness or fatigue
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- History of a stroke
Can This be Treated?
The first step to getting help is to participate in a sleep study to see if you have a sleep breathing disorder (SBD). This will allow your dentist to determine the proper course of action to get you the best night’s sleep possible.
If you have an SBD, he can fit you with an oral appliance to be worn at night. It will lessen the vibrations that contribute to airway obstruction and will also help to position your jaw so that your throat doesn’t collapse.
Getting the help you need starts by reaching out to your local professional for dental sleep medicine in Garland. Under his care, you’ll soon be sleeping soundly and waking up feeling refreshed!
About the Author
A graduate of Baylor College of Dentistry, Dr. Keane Fedosky has over two decades of experience helping people get the rest they need through proper oral care. Specializing in sleep medicine and oral appliances, he cares for his patients at Sleep Rehab and can be reached for more information through his website.