San Francisco and Marin CA
Some people assume that feeling extreme fatigue during the day is just a normal fact of life. But the actual fact is that many of the people who feel this way are so accustomed to living without replenishing sleep that they don’t even realize there’s a different possible life — one that includes days of feeling rejuvenated and energized after a full night’s sleep. Sleep is a necessary part of a person’s overall health and well-being, but many people suffer from sleep breathing disorders, like obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), that prevent them from getting a full night’s sleep (usually without even realizing it). Knowing the signs and symptoms of OSA can help you determine if perhaps you’re at risk for developing the dangerous sleep breathing disorder. Follow along with our sleep apnea dentist in San Francisco today as we discuss sleep apnea, its signs and symptoms and how our Bay Area dentist office can help.
What is OSA?
OSA is a common but dangerous sleep disorder that is characterized by repeated pauses in breathing during sleep. This happens when the muscles in the throat relax, causing a partial or complete airway blockage. Pauses in breathing last from a few seconds to a minute, occurring 100 or more times a night in the most severe cases. The breathing interruptions decrease oxygen levels to the brain and body, making the body think the sufferer is choking. The brain responds by startling the person awake. These repeated interruptions in sleep lead to excessive daytime sleepiness and an increased risk of cardiovascular problems and other health issues.
What are the most common symptoms of OSA?
Sleep breathing disorders are accompanied by one or more common symptoms that are telltale signs you may have sleep apnea.
If you experience one or more of the following symptoms, be sure to contact our Marin sleep apnea dentist to ask about treatment options:
- Loud, persistent snoring — This is by far the most common OSA symptom. Sometimes snoring can be normal if someone is extremely tired or suffering from a respiratory issue like allergies or a cold. But if you have a bed partner who complains about your loud, persistent and stubborn snoring, you may be suffering from sleep apnea without realizing it.
- Choking or gasping sounds during sleep — When an airway is blocked and the brain is deprived of oxygen, it responds by startling the person awake, often choking or gasping for air.
- Excessive daytime fatigue — If you frequently feel excessively sleepy during the day, it could be because your sleep cycle is being repeatedly disrupted each night without you realizing it.
- Morning headaches — Repeatedly waking up with morning headaches could be because of low oxygen levels during sleep.
- Sore throat or dry mouth upon waking — People with OSA sleep with an open mouth to breathe, often causing dry mouth or a sore throat.
- Difficulty focusing or concentrating — Poor sleep quality affects cognitive functions, leading to problems with concentration and memory.
- Moodiness — Sleep deprivation because of interrupted sleep often causes mood swings, irritability and even anxiety and
What are the risk factors for OSA?
While sleep apnea can affect anyone, certain risk factors make a person more susceptible to the sleep breathing disorder.
They include:
- Excess weight
- A larger neck circumference
- Being older than 40 years old
- Being a man
- Having a family member with OSA
- Consuming alcohol or sedatives before bed
- Smoking tobacco
- Nasal congestion
Diagnosis and treatment
Our San Francisco sleep apnea dentist treats sleep apnea by recommending lifestyle changes, if necessary, and through the use of simple and non-invasive oral appliance therapy. We have found that our patients have success with this therapy in lieu of a continuous positive airway pressure mask and machine.
What is oral appliance therapy?
Oral appliances are comfortable, custom-made dental trays that reposition the jaw and tongue at night to keep the airway open.
Sleep apnea dentist in the Bay Area
Recognizing the symptoms and risk factors of sleep breathing disorders is the first step towards improved sleep and health. If you suspect that you or a sleeping partner are suffering from (or at risk for) OSA, contact our Bay Area sleep apnea dentist at Glen Park Dental at (415) 799-3900 to schedule a consultation today.
