If you feel yourself becoming more tired every day, then trouble sleeping may be the cause. However, if that trouble is in the form of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), then you might not immediately realize it. Patients in El Paso who have sleep apnea can lose valuable, deep sleep every night due to an obstruction in the airway that stops them from breathing. When left untreated, the cumulative effects of losing sleep every night can cause you to experience increasingly more instances of fatigue throughout each day.
What does sleep apnea mean?
Sleep apnea literally means to stop breathing in your sleep, and as a chronic condition, it can occur every night until it is addressed. It describes mouth and throat tissues collapsing into the airway until you can no longer breathe, which forces your body out of its sleep state so that it can clear the obstruction. This occurs hundreds of times in a single night, making it impossible for you to reach deep levels of sleep.
What other signs are there?
Aside from losing deep sleep, sleep apnea also affects your breathing pattern at night. For example, as the airway becomes obstructed, it’ll cause you to snore increasingly more loudly until your breathing stops completely. You might also notice symptoms such as chronic headaches, a sore throat every morning, increased irritability, and more throughout the day.
How can a sleep appliance help?
A sleep appliance is a custom-designed oral appliance that your dentist designs to help prevent sleep apnea episodes. The device supports your lower jaw in a slightly forward position, allowing enough room for your airway to stay clear and open. By preventing airway obstruction, the device allows you to continue breathing and sleeping peacefully throughout the entire night.
Learn if you need sleep apnea treatment
If you experience daytime fatigue, chronic snoring, and other signs of sleep apnea, then find out how you can benefit from a custom-designed sleep appliance. To learn more, schedule an appointment by calling the Sunny Smiles dental office nearest you in El Paso, TX, today! We have offices in the East, Northeast, and Westside of El Paso, and happily welcome patients from all nearby communities, including Chaparral, Canutillo, Vinton, and Sunland Park, New Mexico.