Do you feel worn out even after a full eight hours of rest? If so, it could be a sign that you are struggling with snoring or sleep apnea at night. These disorders may be negatively impacting your quality of rest, disrupting your family’s rest, and compromising your overall health. Signs such as loud snoring, fatigue during the day, or a sore throat could be symptoms of these disorders. When you experience these frequently, it may mean it’s time to seek professional treatment with your team at Sunny Smiles.
What You Should Know About Snoring
Nearly half of all adults snore at night, with a significant number of these adults snoring on a regular basis. Some people have a misconception that snoring means you are resting quite well, but in fact, this harsh sound could be causing you to not reach a deep state of rest, causing you to feel tired and irritable the next day. In some cases, your snoring may happen on occasion due to congestion or a poor sleeping position. You may be able to remedy this problem yourself after clearing your congestion or lying on your side at night. If the problem persists or you frequently wake up your spouse due to your loud snores, it may be time to seek professional treatment.
Don’t Put Your Health At Risk
If your loud, harsh snores often wake your family at night, it could be a sign of a more serious problem. Sleep apnea is a disorder that happens when your airways collapse at night, causing you to stop breathing periodically throughout the night. The condition can be worrisome because when you stop breathing, your oxygen levels are lowered and blood pressure levels are increased, which means your body is under a higher amount of stress. Leaving the disorder untreated for prolonged periods can increase your risk of heart problems, like stroke or heart attack, as well as type 2 diabetes and increased feelings of depression as well.
Oral Appliance Therapy for Bruxism
We may use oral appliance therapy to treat sleep apnea. You wear this mouthguard-like device at night to keep your jaw forward and your airways open while you rest. The oral appliance can decrease snoring, improve symptoms of sleep apnea, and may even be used to help with other conditions like bruxism and TMJ dysfunction. Bruxism (teeth grinding) can damage your teeth, so by wearing the oral appliance, you can protect your pearly whites from becoming worn down.
Learn More About Sleep Apnea With Our Team
Oral appliance therapy may be used to reduce symptoms of snoring, sleep apnea, and more. To learn more or schedule an appointment with Sunny Smiles in El Paso, TX, call 915.759.7000.