SYMPTOMS AND CAUSES OF SLEEP APNEA

Snoring all night is already bad enough, especially if you have a partner who sleeps light and often gets disrupted.

It's also important to note that snoring every night might be more serious than you realize. Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that causes patients to stop breathing while they sleep. This causes the brain to wake you up briefly to resume regular breathing, interrupting your normal sleep cycle, and preventing you from enjoying a full night's rest.

Apart from the annoyance of loud snoring, sleep apnea can put your health and well-being at risk—often leading to serious medical issues.

The Dangers of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea can stress your body and health, starting with lower blood oxygen levels as a result of labored breathing. This can develop into high blood pressure and an increased risk of a stroke or heart attack. Patients who already have heart conditions need to take care that sleep apnea does not make their condition more strained.

Other health risks include:

• Type 2 diabetes
• Liver issues
• Fatigue
• Metabolic syndrome

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea to Watch Out For

• Cessation of breathing during sleep
• Headaches
• Drowsiness during the day
• Inability to focus at work
• Memory and focus issues
• Loud snoring
• Dry mouth
• Irritability

Sleep apnea can have many different causes, from excess weight, smoking, alcohol use, genetics, and more. Dr. Patterson can determine if you suffer from sleep apnea during your appointment with us. We may recommend a sleep study to monitor your sleep cycles and determine if you have a sleep disorder.

Are You Experiencing Issues Feeling Rested?

While sleep apnea is a serious medical condition, we can help treat it. Dr. Patterson may recommend a CPAP machine keeps the airway from being blocked. We also use oral appliances to help treat this condition and even surgery for complicated cases.

Everyone deserves a good night's sleep without any interruptions—and we are here to help!

Author

Dr. John M. Garcia D.D.S. Dr. Garcia graduated from Georgetown University Dental School in Washington, DC in 1988. While there, he earned honors from the Department of Fixed Prosthodontics. He then studied at the highly acclaimed Dawson Center for Advanced Dental Studies. While there, he learned more highly detailed techniques for the whole masticatory system. Dr. Garcia also trained in the Dawson Philosophy of Occlusion and the Concept of Complete Dentistry, both of which he now follows. Dr. Garcia has been in private practice as a dentist since 1990, and he strives to keep up with the latest advances in the dental field so he can offer the most effective and advanced care to his patients. Dr. Garcia specializes in helping patients improve their smile through skilled dental care and the latest technological advances in the world of dentistry.