Do you get shaken awake at night because of your snoring? At times, it can seem as though good sleep will elude you forever because every time you nod off to sleep, you get woken by a frustrated spouse. But what if your fatigue was due less to those occasional wakings from your spouse and more to your own snoring? If you suffer from obstructive sleep apnea, this may just be the case. Your Allen dentist, Dr. Marco Cueva, discusses the symptoms and treatments for obstructive sleep apnea.
What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, occurs when the flow of air to the brain becomes blocked by the soft tissues of the throat. This blockage occurs during sleep when the body relaxes and gravity pulls the tissues down into the airway. With the flow of air impeded, the brain becomes oxygen deprived and finally wakes the sleeper. This process often repeats hundreds of times throughout the night, leaving people who suffer from OSA feeling tired despite a sufficient number of sleeping hours.
Symptoms of OSA
Snoring is a major symptom of obstructive sleep apnea because when the airway becomes blocked, the soft tissues of the throat vibrate as air tries to get past them, resulting in the sound we associate with snoring. Other symptoms of OSA include fatigue, morning headaches, dry mouth, sore throat, and night sweats.
Treatment for OSA
Your Allen dentist, Dr. Cueva, can prescribe an oral appliance to help relieve your obstructive sleep apnea and your snoring. This sleep guard pushes the jaw forward, ensuring that the airway remains open during the night. With the airway open, snoring is reduced, and rest is improved.
Schedule a Visit with Your Allen Dentist
If you snore and wake up feeling tired despite getting your eight hours, you may suffer from obstructive sleep apnea. However, with proper treatment, a good night’s sleep is within your grasp. Schedule an appointment or a consultation with your Allen dentist, Dr. Cueva, today. Our 75013 dental office welcomes patients from Allen, Plano, Richardson, McKinney, Frisco, Fairview, Murphy, Wylie, Lewisville, Carrolton, and surrounding communities.
