Sleep Apnea Is A Serious Health Threat

sleep apnea Roy

At Roy Dental Care in Roy UT, we often see patients who say they have been struggling with inadequate sleep for months or even years. Some of these people end up being diagnosed with sleep apnea.

You Can’t Just “Tough It Out”

The reluctance to seek treatment is lamentable because it takes a toll on health and reduces quality of life. If you are keeping someone up at night, it makes life more onerous for that person, as well.

Protect Your Health

Sleep apnea is a condition where you have frequent, recurring gaps in breathing while you sleep. These pauses can last for up to 60 seconds and are caused by soft tissue in the back of the throat that relaxes and blocks the airway. As you can imagine, when the brain is not getting enough oxygen it interferes with vital biological processes.

For some reason, many people don’t consider sleep apnea a serious issue. Why the disconnect? There isn’t a biological function more fundamental than sleep. Substandard sleep can cause a host of serious health issues. It also impacts performance in every facet of daily life.

Three Types

Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Cause: Throat muscles relax and block the airway. This is the most prevalent type.

Central Sleep Apnea
Cause: The brain doesn’t send signals to the muscles that monitor breathing.

Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome (Treatment-emergent Central Sleep Apnea)
Both of the previous conditions are present in this type.

Signs of Sleep Apnea

  • Loud snoring
  • Unexpected awakenings where you are choking or feel “out of breath”
  • Pauses in breathing while sleeping (as evidenced by another person observing the behavior)
  • Sore throat or dry mouth after sleeping
  • Uneasy sleep
  • Falling asleep while performing normal daily activities
  • Inability to concentrate during the day
  • Depression and irritability
  • Awakening with a headache
  • Extreme tiredness

Any one of these symptoms does not, in any of itself, mean you have sleep apnea. But they are indicators. If you think you or a loved one has sleep apnea, please call us at Roy Dental Care in Roy UT. We also provide a wide range of general dentistry services. Schedule an appointment today.

Contact Roy Dental Care:

801-776-2806

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

4902 S 1900 W Ste 4
Roy, Utah
84067

 

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