San Francisco, Marin, and Oakland, CA
Sleep is a cornerstone of sustainable energy throughout the day. However, when you have obstructive sleep apnea, getting enough sleep is a challenge of different merits. From brain fog to falling asleep during an important meeting, chronic fatigue can strike anytime. The San Francisco sleep apnea dentists at Glen Park Dental share on the blog today what to do when chronic fatigue affects your job so that you can combat the condition and maintain employment.
The Study
A recent study of 261 people uncovered that those who became unemployed and had undiagnosed sleep apnea might struggle with keeping gainful employment. Specifically, moderate to severe sleep apnea cases often result in significant long-term economic and occupational penalties associated with losing their job. Additionally, the study shows the odds of suffering job loss from obstructive sleep apnea among participants was 2.86 percent. Since sleep apnea proves to be a catalyst in employment stability for those with sleep apnea, our neuromuscular dentists in Oakland recommend scheduling an appointment for a sleep apnea screening and the severity of your condition.
The Epidemic
According to the American Sleep Apnea Association, obstructive sleep apnea affects an estimated 22 million people living in the United States. Our sleep apnea dentists in Marin explain that sleep apnea occurs when your airway becomes blocked while you sleep, resulting in challenges breathing while sleeping or stopping airflow altogether. Your airway obstruction tells your brain to send a signal throughout the body about your interrupted breathing patterns. Then, your body responds by waking from the sleep cycle, disturbing your rest, and depriving your body of critical restoration. However, you may not consciously wake up or notice your body’s automatic responses during the night. Therefore, a sleep apnea condition can remain undiagnosed for years, causing additional health concerns.
The Diagnosis
Sleep apnea is a condition often undiagnosed as most people are situationally unaware. However, when symptoms are present such as restless sleep, loud snoring, frequently waking with headaches, or gasping or choking for air while asleep, our San Francisco dentists that treat sleep apnea recommend a sleep study. Professional sleep specialists can give a sleep apnea diagnosis and determine the condition’s severity. Once diagnosed, you can begin the proper treatment to reclaim your sleepless nights.
The Treatment
Traditionally, sleep apnea patients use a CPAP machine. The machine covers your nose and mouth and forces air into your airway to keep it open and unobstructed while sleeping. CPAP machines can help moderate to severe sleep apnea cases. However, our sleep apnea dentists in Oakland find the CPAP machine cumbersome and offer oral appliance therapy as a quality substitute. Oral appliance therapy is an American Academy of Sleep Medicine-approved first-line treatment for mild to moderate sleep apnea patients. An oral appliance is a custom-made, high-quality material mouthpiece created from mouth impressions for a secure fit. As you wear the device, your lower jaw moves slightly forward to relieve obstructions and keep your airway open while sleeping.
Sleep Apnea Treatment in Marin, Oakland, and San Francisco, California
Chronic fatigue can affect more than your current energy level when the cause remains untreated. You may notice impaired cognitive function, daytime sleepiness, or memory loss, which can be dangerous for your well-being. The best way to overcome sleep apnea symptoms is through treatment. Call our office today at (415) 585-1500 or request a consultation! Our Marin dentists that treat sleep apnea at Glen Park Dental understand your condition and seek to have you sleeping peacefully through the night so that you can reclaim victory over your days.
