Here at Federici Dental in Manahawkin, NJ, our expert doctors and dental team know just how dangerous having obstructive sleep apnea can be, and we are here to help! If you have recently been diagnosed with any type of sleep apnea, it’s critically important to understand the ins and outs of this condition, as it’s severity can worsen over time if left untreated.
What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apneais a type of apnea that occurs where your throat muscles intermittently relax and block your airway during sleep. When this happens, your body immediately wakes itself up to resume breathing, interrupting your sleep multiple times throughout the night. While obstructive sleep apnea leaves you feeling extremely tired the next day, it also can contribute to heart disease, diabetes, and other long-term health risks. A noticeable sign of obstructive sleep apnea is excessive snoring.
What Are The Symptoms Of Sleep Apnea?
Signs and symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea include:
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Loud snoring
- Observed episodes of breathing cessation during sleep
- Abrupt awakenings accompanied by gasping or choking
- Awakening with a dry mouth or sore throat
- Morning headache
- Difficulty concentrating during the day
- Experiencing mood changes, such as depression or irritability
- High blood pressure
- Nighttime sweating
- Decreased libido
How Obstructive Sleep Apnea Negatively Affects The Body
Many serious health conditions are linked to sleep apnea, including high-blood pressure and obesity. Coupled with a lack of sleep, obstructive sleep apnea can cause damage to many different systems within your body. Sleep apnea affects:
Respiratory System
By depriving your body of oxygen while you sleep, sleep apnea can worsen symptoms of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). You might find yourself short of breath or have more trouble exercising than usual.
Endocrine System
People with sleep apnea are more likely to develop insulin resistance, a condition in which the cells don’t respond as well to the hormone insulin. When your cells don’t take in insulin like they should, your blood sugar level rises and you can develop type 2 diabetes.
Digestive System
If you have sleep apnea, you’re more likely to have fatty liver disease, liver scarring, and higher-than-normal levels of liver enzymes.
Circulatory & Cardiovascular Systems
Sleep apnea has been linked to obesity and high blood pressure, which increase the strain on your heart. If you have apnea, you’re more likely to have an abnormal heart rhythm such as atrial fibrillation, which could increase your risk of a stroke. Heart failure is also more common in people with sleep apnea.
Nervous System
One type of sleep apnea, called central sleep apnea, is caused by a disruption in the brain’s signals that enable you to breathe. This type of sleep apnea can also cause neurological symptoms like numbness and tingling.
Reproductive System
Sleep apnea can reduce your desire to have sex. In men, it could contribute to erectile dysfunction and affect your ability to have children.
Sleep Apnea Treatment At Federici Dental
If you have sleep apnea, our doctors at Federici Dental in Manahawkin, NJ can help with sleep apnea treatment! If you're a candidate for an at-home sleep study, Drs. Dave and Joe Federici will work closely with your primary care provider and local respiratory pulmonologists to understand the severity of your condition. Once we receive your results, we’ll work with you to determine the best course of treatment, which can include:
- CPAP (Controlled Positive Airway Pressure)
- OAT (Oral Appliance Therapy)
- Sleeping on your side (only works for mild sleep apnea)
- Losing weight
- Healthy diet
- Controlling blood pressure
- Quitting smoking or drinking
- Surgery (in extreme cases)
Get In Touch With Federici Dental Today For Sleep Apnea Treatments!
If left untreated, the consequences of obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea can be severe. From high blood pressure and diabetes, to COPD and fatty liver disease, sleep apnea requires immediate treatment from your expert doctors at Federici Dental in Manahawkin, NJ. To find out if you’re a candidate for an at-home sleep study, or to start sleep apnea treatment right away, don’t hesitate to give us a call today, or fill out our new patient forms ahead of time. Additionally, you can take a look at our sleep apnea testimonials to see the difference we’ve made in our patients’ lives.
With Federici Dental, you don’t have to suffer through sleepless nights from sleep apnea any longer!