Sleep Apnea Affects More Than Your Sleep
Sleep apnea is a serious medical condition in which your breath is repeatedly interrupted during sleep. The lack of oxygen wakes your body up so that you can breathe and typically you won’t remember waking up. These constant interruptions impact the quality of your sleep as well as affect your body both mentally and physically. Untreated sleep apnea has been linked to mood disorders, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and other long-term health concerns.
The quality of your sleep is essential to your overall well-being and Dr. Bergida has advanced training in sleep dentistry to alleviate your sleep apnea and reclaim your sleep and your health. Keep reading to understand how sleep apnea affects your overall wellness below.
How Quality Sleep Impacts Your Health
During sleep, many biological processes take place. Your brain has a chance to cater to other issues in your body, your cells have a chance to reorganize and communicate, and your body repairs itself. When your sleep is disrupted, these processes are interrupted which can lead to a wide range of issues including:
- Cognitive Dysfunction
- High Blood Pressure
- Heart Disease and Stroke
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Memory Loss
- Metabolic Syndrome
Types of Sleep Apnea
There are three types of sleep apnea that Dr. Bergida may diagnose you with, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), central sleep apnea (CSA), and mixed sleep apnea (MSA). Getting the correct diagnosis is essential because they each require different types of treatment.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common form of the disorder. It generally occurs when the muscles at the back of your throat relax and your tongue collapses into the airway. This disrupts the flow of oxygen to your lungs, leading to frequent pauses in breathing throughout the night.
Central sleep apnea (CSA) results when your central nervous system fails to deliver a message to your lungs to breathe consistently throughout the night. Your brain, muscles, and lungs aren’t working together in unison as they should.
Mixed sleep apnea (MSA) or complex sleep apnea is a combination of both obstructive and central sleep apnea factors.
Risk Factors for Sleep Apnea
There are certain factors in your life that might place you at a higher risk for sleep apnea. For example, older patients and males are more likely to suffer from sleep apnea.
Additional risk factors for OSA include:
- Smoking
- Alcohol use
- Excess weight
- Family history of sleep apnea
- Large neck circumference
- Nasal congestion
Sleep Apnea Symptoms
Snoring is the most obvious symptom of sleep apnea, but there are a number of additional signs that indicate you may be suffering from a harmful sleep disorder, such as:
- A lack of energy
- Reduced libido
- Insomnia
- Excessive daytime fatigue
- Pauses in breathing or making gasping noises during sleep
- Daytime irritability
If you’re a heavy snorer and you notice one or more of these symptoms, Dr. Bergida will make sure you get the correct diagnosis and appropriate care. We offer sleep apnea solutions to enhance your sleep and dramatically improve your health.
Find Out If You Have Sleep Apnea With a Sleep Study
Many people who have sleep apnea don’t even realize it. If you notice these risk factors, you may want to talk to Dr. Bergida about arranging a sleep test. Getting the correct diagnosis and treatment will improve your quality of life and protect you from dangerous health conditions that could end up requiring more extensive procedures in the future.
Even if you don’t think you have sleep apnea, you may be putting your health on the line by avoiding treatment.It’s vital to recognize common symptoms of sleep apnea and seek a diagnosis for this condition. There are two types of sleep tests, a polysomnograph, which is done at a sleep center facility, and an at-home sleep test that’s completed in the comfort of your own home.
When you meet with Dr. Bergida for your consultation, he’ll examine your airway and ask you some questions about the type of sleep you’ve been getting. Before arranging your sleep test, Dr. Bergida will explain your options in detail to help you get a better understanding of the two and help make a decision.
If you decide on a polysomnograph, the next step is arranging your sleep study, which will be an overnight test administered while you sleep. Dr. Bergida works with many sleep physicians that he can proudly recommend.
Oral Appliances: An Easy Alternative to CPAP
Sleep apnea saps you of your energy by disrupting your sleep, leaving you irritated and exhausted. When you feel fatigued, it’s harder to take on important parts of your life such as work and your relationships. Dr. Bergida offers oral appliances to help treat your sleep apnea and ease your symptoms.
The results of your sleep study will be reviewed by the physician who will provide you with a prescription for sleep apnea care. Many of our patients find relief using one of our oral appliances, which is an easy-to-use alternative to CPAP.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a deviated septum cause obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)?
A deviated septum can make your sleep apnea symptoms worse by further narrowing your airway. However, there isn’t any evidence that suggests a deviated septum alone can cause sleep apnea.
In one study, a group of 49 patients with obstructive sleep apnea had surgery to correct their deviated septa. Even though the patients saw improvements in snoring, it was not effective in treating OSA.
Can sleep apnea cause anxiety?
Repeatedly losing sleep creates a deficit in your sleep bank which makes it difficult to handle stressful situations and can lead to anxiety. While there’s a definite connection between sleep apnea and anxiety, it’s often unclear whether the loss of sleep is causing anxiety or the anxiety itself is causing the disorder.
Unfortunately, it may also be a two-way connection. Patients who suffer from anxiety might be at higher risk for developing a sleep disorder, such as sleep apnea. This means that if you treat one of the conditions, you may be able to alleviate the other as well.
With an oral appliance, you can improve your anxiety without ever taking a prescription medication. Contact our Queens office to learn more by calling (929) 335-7284 — one of our knowledgeable team members will be happy to answer your questions.
Getting the Help You Need
With sleep apnea treatment, you’ll be able to do the things you enjoy without feeling tired all the time. In fact, seeking treatment for your sleep disorder will enhance your overall well-being, allowing you to live life without restrictions. Call Dr. Bergida at (929) 335-7284 today to learn more about your treatment options. You can also fill out the easy form at the bottom of the page and we’ll get right back to you.