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Obstructive Sleep Apnea is Dangerous

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If your partner is doing more than snoring it’s time to schedule an appointment with a sleep specialist. Once diagnosed, call Dr. Ringer from Dental Cosmetics in Anaheim Hills for an oral appliance therapy consultation as it could be OSA.

Waking up gasping for breath could be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea, a condition that when left untreated could become deadly. While OSA is treatable, some sufferers aren’t even aware of the condition continuing to wake as many as 30 times an hour unable to breathe.

What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea causes the back of the throat to relax while sleeping. While snoring is a sign of OSA, it does not always mean a person who snores has obstructive sleep apnea.

When the muscles in the back of the throat start to relax, your airways narrow closing in every time you take a breath. Because you can’t breathe in any air, your blood oxygen levels get lower. This causes your brain to wake up so that you can open your airways. If another person does not see the episodes, you may not be aware it is even happening.

OSA causes gasping, choking and snorting while sleeping. As mentioned previously, this can happen from five to thirty times every sixty minutes. OSA makes it hard to enjoy a good night’s sleep and can cause overall problems for your health as well. If you follow Dr. Ringers Blog, you will remember that severe sleep apnea can lead to heart attacks and stroke.

Signs and OSA Symptoms

According to Dr. Jack Ringer, a preferred oral appliance therapy provider for sleep apnea, and past president and an Accredited Fellow with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, OSA is a condition that is mostly found in older people and in men. However, kids with tonsils and adenoids are also susceptible to the disorder. Obstructive sleep apnea in postmenopausal women is also more common. Obesity and large necks sizes may also contribute to obstructive sleep apnea.

There is no known cause, but researchers believe OSA also increases in people who:

  • Indulge in alcohol
  • Smoke
  • Are overweight
  • Have a large neck
  • Are Male
  • Have a narrowed airway
  • Are over 65
  • Have a family history of OSA
  • Take tranquilizers or sedatives
  • Suffer from nasal congestion

Common Obstructive Sleep Symptoms

  • Snoring, not always a sign in people who do
  • Stopping breathing while sleeping
  • Gasping for breath
  • Waking up with dry mouth
  • Morning headaches
  • Insomnia
  • Daytime Sleepiness
  • Irritability
  • Loss of libido

Help for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

While most sleep specialists will suggest CPAP therapy, mild to moderate OSA sufferers may benefit from oral appliance therapy. With several oral appliance devices available, you will see significant results from your OSA dentist in Anaheim Hills.

Your oral appliance therapy dentist in Orange County will work with your sleep specialist to find a suitable appliance. A custom-made appliance is imperative when it comes to oral appliance therapy.

If you have been diagnosed with mild to moderate OSA, or suspect you may suffer from OSA, call and schedule a no obligation consultation with your oral appliance therapy specialist in Anaheim Hills today.

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