Medical experts estimate that over 30 million American adults snore regularly. While men are 50% more likely to snore than women, someone is losing sleep. Many people don’t consider a trip to the dentist to cure snoring, but Dr. Sheen has many options for couples or individuals struggling with snoring or sleep apnea.
Sleep disorders such as sleep apnea are becoming a growing health concern. Dr. Vernon Sheen offers diagnosis and treatment for sleep apnea and snoring to improve health and reduce the risks of greater health risks.
Snoring Solutions In Annapolis
Sme patients can correct snoring by sleeping on their side, avoiding alcohol before bed, losing weight, quitting smoking, or treating allergies. However, some are unable to stop snoring without professional help.
A consultation is necessary for our dentist in Annapolis, MD to determine if you suffer from simple snoring or OSA. He is then able to offer oral appliance therapy. Sometimes called a snore guard, this is a custom-fit mouthpiece similar to a night guard, which you wear while you sleep to realign the jaw and open airways for breathing.
Snoring Vs. Sleep Apnea
What is the difference between Snoring and Sleep Apnea?
Snoring is a symptom of Sleep Apnea. Snoring is a mild disorder that results from obstructed airways during sleep in which breathing becomes very loud.
An estimated 18 million Americans suffer from Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). OSA is a serious medical disorder and the most common form of sleep-related breathing disorder. Patients who suffer from OSA often stop breathing during their sleep for 10 or more seconds during the night.
This deprives the internal organs of much-needed oxygen, raising the risk of developing hypertension, cardiovascular disease, or stroke. If you already have heart disease or diabetes, OSA can exacerbate symptoms and make disease management more difficult.
Common Signs of Sleep Apnea
Although loud snoring is the most recognizable sign of a sleep disorder, there are other signs that indicate you may have sleep apnea if you are unaware that you snore. These can include:
- Feeling groggy upon waking, even after “sleeping” a sufficient number of hours
- Daytime sleepiness
- Difficulty concentrating
Sleep Apnea and Gout
Recent medical studies have identified the correlation between sleep apnea and gout. The physiological changes that can occur during sleep apnea have been shown to cause attacks of gout. It can often occur in patients who do not have any obvious risk factors for sleep apnea.
Dr. Sheen works with patients who complain of snoring to determine if they do have a sleep disorder or obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which can be effectively treated to restore health. Dr. Sheen will discuss your medical history, lifestyle habits, and health concerns and may recommend that a sleep study be performed for diagnosis.
Understanding the common signs of sleep apnea is important, as many patients suffer for years without being diagnosed:
- Feeling groggy or sleepy during the day
- Dry mouth in the morning
- Snoring
- Headaches in the morning
- Difficulty concentrating
- Restless sleep, sudden waking
Doctors now consider experiencing attacks of gout as a sign that you are suffering from a sleep disorder, especially if you have no other risk factors for gout.
Sleep Apnea FAQs
Read answers to common questions about sleep apnea in Annapolis, MD:
Can sleep apnea affect my overall health beyond just sleep problems?
Yes, sleep apnea can affect your overall health, not just your sleep. Sleep apnea is a condition where your breathing stops and starts while you sleep, which can lower the amount of oxygen in your blood. This can put a strain on your heart and increase the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke. It can also make you feel very tired during the day, affect your mood, and make it harder to focus.
How does weight affect sleep apnea?
Weight can affect sleep apnea because extra weight around the neck and throat can make it harder for your airway to stay open while you sleep. When the muscles in your throat relax during sleep, the extra tissue from being overweight can block the airway. This can lead to more frequent pauses in breathing.
Losing weight can help reduce the pressure on your airway and may improve your symptoms. However, sleep apnea can still occur in people of all weights.
How do alcohol or sleeping pills worsen sleep apnea symptoms?
These substances can make sleep apnea worse because they relax the muscles in your throat. This can cause your airway to become more easily blocked while you sleep. When your airway is blocked, it leads to pauses in breathing.
Alcohol and sleeping pills also make it harder for your body to wake up when you stop breathing. This can lead to more severe symptoms, like feeling extremely tired during the day. Avoid alcohol and sleeping pills if you have sleep apnea or talk to a doctor about safe options.
Can sleep apnea cause headaches?
Yes, sleep apnea can cause headaches. When you have sleep apnea, your breathing stops and starts while you sleep, which reduces the amount of oxygen your body gets. This can lead to a headache in the morning because your brain isn’t getting enough oxygen during the night. The lack of sleep and the stress on your body can also contribute to tension headaches. If you often wake up with headaches, it could be a sign of sleep apnea, and you should talk to a doctor.
Does smoking worsen sleep apnea?
Yes. Smoking irritates and inflames the airways, which can make it harder to breathe while you sleep. This can make the pauses in breathing that happen with sleep apnea more frequent and severe.
Smoking also increases the risk of other health problems, like heart disease and high blood pressure. These problems can make sleep apnea more dangerous.
Can children get sleep apnea?
Yes, children can get sleep apnea. It’s a condition where they have trouble breathing while they sleep because their airway gets blocked or narrowed. This can happen if they have large tonsils, allergies, or are overweight.
Kids with sleep apnea might snore loudly, breathe through their mouth, or seem restless while sleeping. During the day, they could be tired, have trouble focusing, or seem irritable.
How can I tell I have sleep apnea?
You might have sleep apnea if you notice these signs:
- Loud Snoring: You snore often and loudly, and it sometimes wakes others.
- Choking or Gasping: You wake up suddenly feeling like you’re choking or gasping for air.
- Feeling Tired: You still feel tired during the day, even after sleeping all night.
- Morning Headaches: You often wake up with headaches.
- Dry Mouth or Sore Throat: You wake up with a dry mouth or sore throat.
- Trouble Focusing: You have a hard time concentrating or remembering things.
- Mood Changes: You feel more irritable or moody than usual.
Sometimes, people don’t notice their symptoms because they happen while they sleep. A partner or family member might be the first to notice your loud snoring or pauses in breathing.
Do I need surgery for sleep apnea?
Not everyone with sleep apnea needs surgery. Surgery is usually only recommended if other treatments, like a CPAP machine or an oral appliance, don’t work. It also depends on what causes your sleep apnea.
For example, surgery might help if your sleep apnea is caused by:
- Enlarged tonsils or adenoids
- A small jaw or narrow airway
- Nasal blockages, like a deviated septum
Schedule A Dental Exam and Sleep Apnea Consultation
A good night’s sleep is the key to overall wellness and good quality of life each day. If you have concerns about your snoring or sleep habits or have a partner who snores, discuss them with Dr. Sheen. Restoring your sleep will reduce your risk of overall health problems and have you enjoying life again- feeling wide awake. Of course, we can also help you with any other dental concerns you may be experiencing.
Contact us to schedule an appointment for snoring and sleep apnea treatment options at The Annapolis Center for Dental Health & Wellness. Our office is conveniently located near the Annapolis Mall, and we are currently accepting new patients.