Do you often find yourself waking up in the middle of the night just to breathe? You’re not alone. Thousands of Americans suffer from Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). OSA occurs during sleep when soft tissues block the airways. Usually, soft tissues in the airways simply become more relaxed during sleep. With a medical disorder like sleep apnea, breathing repeatedly stops and starts because of airway obstruction.
Sleep apnea becomes dangerous fast as it can lead to medical problems like strokes, heart attacks, and even death if left untreated. But how can you tell if you are affected by sleep apnea, and what are the risk factors? How can OSA be treated by a medical professional?
Common Symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Some common signs of Obstructive Sleep Apnea may include:
- Waking up to breathe
- Dry mouth
- Snoring
- Frequent pauses in breathing
- Morning headaches
- Sleepiness during the day
- Excessive and loud snoring
- Difficulty concentrating
- Low mood
If you notice that you or a loved one suffers from these symptoms on a consistent basis, schedule an appointment with us for possible diagnosis and treatment.
Risk Factors
There are also several risk factors to keep in mind that may make one patient more prone to OSA than another:
- Excess weight
- Diabetes
- Genetic predisposition
- Narrowed airways
- Smoking
- Chronic nasal congestion
- High blood pressure
If you have these conditions, you may be at a higher risk of developing sleep apnea. However, there is a treatment option for OSA.
Treatment with Oral Appliances
Dr. Brent Engelberg & Associates at AH Smiles offers its patients professional treatment with oral sleep appliances. Before treating a patient with these appliances, Dr. Brent Engelberg discusses each patient’s medical history and potential sleep apnea symptoms.
Oral sleep devices are custom-fit to each patient for optimal comfort and support. Additionally, oral sleep appliances align the jaw and open the airways, resulting in a restful night’s sleep.
Schedule an Appointment
Don’t wait for new medical problems to find you. If you or a loved one has noticed symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea, call AH Smiles at (847) 230-9703 or schedule an appointment online for professional care.