Sleep Apnea Q&A

If you answered yes to these questions, there is a chance you are suffering from a common sleep condition that can be detrimental to your overall health but often remains undiagnosed...

Do you wake in the morning feeling unrested? Or do you or a loved one snore loudly each night? If you answered yes to these questions, there is a chance you are suffering from a common sleep condition that can be detrimental to your overall health but often remains undiagnosed. Sleep apnea is a condition that causes patients to stop breathing for a short time because the tongue blocks the airway, causing obstruction. Each time you stop breathing, due to lack of oxygen, your brain is alerted to the disruption, causing you to wake.

What Are Symptoms of Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea often remains diagnosed because patients often assume they are just poor sleepers and don’t realize they are experiencing an issue. Patients also don’t know they snore unless a family member alerts them to a problem. Sleep apnea symptoms can include:

Snoring
Trouble breathing
Fatigue
Chronic sleep deprivation
Confusion
Acid reflux
Headaches in the morning
Waking with a dry mouth
Difficulty staying asleep
Irritability

What Are the Effects of Sleep Apnea?

Unfortunately, sleep apnea can cause severe issues with your overall health. Quality sleep is needed to recharge not only our bodies, but our minds as well. When we are not fully rested, we open ourselves to experiencing accidents. Untreated sleep apnea can also lead to other health issues such as:

High blood pressure
Increased risk of heart attack or stroke
Weakened immune system
Risk of heart disease and diabetes
Increased risk of mood disorders such as depression
Low blood oxygen levels

Who Can Help?

At Proud to Smile, we can help with the early identification, intervention and prevention of airway issues. Early detection and prevention is key in avoiding many of the side effects mentioned above.

If you feel that you or a loved one might be suffering from sleep apnea and are experiencing any of the warning signs above, please reach out to our office located in Bernardsville, NJ. We can discuss options for you to help you get the sleep you need and deserve.

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