What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea, sometimes called sleep-disordered breathing, is a common disorder that affects your quality of life. It occurs when you stop breathing for short periods of time during the night because your upper airway collapses and blocks off airflow. The good news is that it’s generally easy to diagnose, and treating it can often be done without surgery.
If you suffer from sleep apnea, then it’s important to get tested by your dentist in Dacula, GA, immediately. The sooner the better because untreated sleep apnea can cause serious health issues ranging in severity from mild to deadly.
What are the Common Causes of Sleep Apnea?
- Excess weight
Sleep apnea can be caused by obesity. Obesity is the abnormal accumulation of fat that may lead to a wide range of health problems, including Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and sleep apnea. Overweight or obese individuals are more likely to suffer from sleep apnea than normal-weight individuals.
- Age
Sleep apnea becomes more common as you age. Sleep apnea is an early marker of potentially serious medical conditions, including heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, and diabetes. This condition may also increase the risk for Alzheimer’s disease, which affects your ability to think and remember clearly.
- Narrowed airway
Sometimes, your airway narrows during sleep, causing apnea. This type of sleep apnea can be caused by the narrowing of your facial structure or the collapse of weak cartilage in the back of your throat. A dental appliance may be needed to provide permanent help.
- Nasal congestion
Your mouth and throat may be blocked by mucus that has built up during sleep. This blockage creates resistance to breathing, which can lead to apnea. You may experience this type of apnea if you have a cold, allergies, or asthma.
- Sleeping position
Sometimes a person’s normal sleeping position can cause the tongue and throat to block airflow during sleep, leading to apnea. Sleeping on your back is the most recommended position for health benefits when it comes to sleep. This position allows your mouth, nose, and throat to be clear of any obstructions.
- Smoking and alcohol consumption
Smoking and drinking alcohol can lead to severe sleep-related breathing disorders. Sleep apnea caused due to these conditions can progress to severe and deadly sleep apnea if left untreated. You can reduce your risk of contracting apnea by controlling smoking and alcohol consumption.