Snoring is one of the classic sleep apnea symptoms, but not everyone who snores has sleep apnea.

Here to explain, Dr. Ben Peterson at High Desert Dental in Ontario, Oregon offers some valuable information about this potentially dangerous condition and discusses why the solution may be found in our dental office.

Sleep apnea 101

Obstructive sleep apnea — the most common of three types — occurs when the soft tissues in your throat relax and cover your airway while you sleep. The rattling flesh is what makes the snoring sound, but that in and of itself isn’t the dangerous part. The blocked airway is. 

Sleep apnea can stop your breathing 30 times or more throughout the night, depriving you of oxygen and disrupting your natural sleep cycles. 

Central sleep apnea has the same effect, but the cause is different. In this case, a muscle-nerve connection problem interferes with your brain’s communication system. When your muscles don’t get the message to trigger the breathing process, you stop breathing.

It’s possible to have both types of sleep apnea at once, a condition called complex sleep apnea. All types are dangerous. 

The dangers of sleep apnea

Hearing that sleep apnea stops your breathing several times throughout the night ought to be enough to convince you of its potential dangers, but if not, here are some more reasons.

Weight gain

Obesity and sleep apnea have a symbiotic relationship. Excess fat, especially in the neck area, makes you more susceptible to developing sleep apnea, and sleep apnea triggers the production of ghrelin, the hunger hormone that makes you crave sweets and carbs.

Treating sleep apnea can help you sleep better, have more energy for exercise, and help you lose weight — win-win.

Sleepiness and fatigue

Speaking of sleep, lost slumber is at the top of the sleep apnea danger list. Without proper rest, you experience grogginess throughout the day, putting you at risk for car accidents and injuries. In fact, studies show that people with sleep apnea are 2.5 times more likely to get into car crashes. 

It also makes you grumpy and less capable of coping with stress and conflict, taking a toll on your personal and professional relationships.

Type 2 diabetes

About 80% of people with type 2 diabetes also have obstructive sleep apnea. We already mentioned that being overweight increases your risk for sleep apnea, and it’s also a risk factor for diabetes. Researchers believe that part of the connection is that poor sleep quality interferes with your ability to process insulin.

Hypertension

Hypertension is sneaky — it creeps up with no warning signs. And if you have sleep apnea, it may be what’s driving your blood pressure up. Addressing sleep apnea decreases the stress on your body and may lower your blood pressure.

Heart problems

Untreated sleep apnea puts your heart in danger. If you have sleep apnea, you’re up to four times more likely to develop an arrhythmia, your risk of heart failure increases by 140%, and your likelihood of developing heart disease goes up by 30%. 

Mental health issues

Memory loss is common among folks with sleep apnea. Inadequate sleep may accelerate age-related mild cognitive impairment. It also contributes to the onset of depression.

The solution to sleep apnea

The standard treatment for sleep apnea is a machine called continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). However, the machine is loud, and the treatment requires you to wear a mask over your nose and mouth connected to the machine with a long hose. For some people, the treatment is as disruptive as the condition.

We have an alternative solution.

Dr. Peterson can custom-design an oral device that you wear at night, similar to a mouthguard. The appliance fits your teeth and other oral structures, so you’re comfortable all night. However, it gently repositions your lower jaw in a forward position that keeps your airway open and oxygen flowing. 

To find out if a mandibular advancement device (MAD) could be the answer to your sleep apnea, schedule an appointment to talk with Dr. Peterson by calling our office today or booking online.