Snoring is a common symptom of sleep apnea Peoria. While not all people who snore have sleep apnea, it is likely to be an indication of such a condition. This is especially true if it is accompanied by silent breathing and choking sounds.
Sleep apnea is a common and serious condition. It causes decreased oxygen in the blood. Sleep apnea has several causes. The most common among them is obesity.
Extra Weight and Obesity
Excess weight typically accumulates in the neck area. The extra fat obstructs your breathing, causing sleep apnea. For that reason, it is vital that you lose weight.
Losing at least 10 percent of your current body weight can improve your condition. It may even cure your sleep apnea completely.
Other factors may cause sleep apnea. In children, enlarged tonsils or dental conditions can cause this condition to arise.
Birth defects or growth in the airway may also lead to this medical condition.
Obesity can also affect children. However, childhood obesity is less likely to result in obstructive sleep apnea.
Untreated sleep apnea can result in serious complications. These complications include accidents, heart disease, and premature death.
Therefore, it is vital that you treat your sleep apnea. If you develop signs of this condition, you must consult your physician.
This is especially true if you snore loudly, awaken repeatedly at night, and experience excessive daytime sleepiness.
What Are the Treatments for Sleep Apnea?
The first step you must take if you think that you are suffering from this condition is to consult a physician or a dentist.
These days, you can monitor your sleep through a wearable. You can then present the data to your dentist so that he can analyze it.
Once a proper diagnosis has been established, your dentist will recommend a treatment. The typical option is a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device.
This requires that you wear a mask that fits over the mouth and nose. It blows air in the airway to keep it open while you sleep. This treatment is effective.
Dental appliances may also help, as they reposition your lower jaw and tongue to open the airway. Surgery may also help by removing tissue in the airway.
Your treatment will depend on the cause of your sleep apnea. To make sure that it is effective, you must change your lifestyle as well.
Because obesity can cause this condition, you should consider losing weight. Weight loss can help cure the sleep apnea while CPAP will help treat it.
Avoiding alcohol is also vital to relaxing your upper airway muscles. Most importantly, you must quit smoking. This nasty habit causes swelling in the upper airway. It worsens your sleep apnea Peoria.
To get a proper diagnosis or treatment for your sleep apnea, consult with our experts at Reflections Dental. Contact us today to make an appointment with one of our dentists.