How well do you breathe while you’re asleep? If your partner has noticed that you snore or gasp for air during the night, odds are that your airway is being restricted or even blocked altogether. As you might imagine, this can be extremely dangerous; not only will you not get enough sleep to function properly and drive safely during the day, but your risk of potentially fatal heart disease will be much harder. Your dentist in Kittanning can help you recognize the true harm of a restricted airway – as well as the importance of receiving treatment now!
Why Would Your Airway Become Restricted at Night?
Your mouth and throat are full of soft tissues that are more or less harmless while you’re awake. When you go to bed, however, these tissues may relax and fall back on the airway. Such an obstruction can make it extremely difficult – or even impossible – for oxygen to reach the lungs. The brain needs to partially wake you up so that the body can start breathing normally again. When the airway is repeatedly blocked during the night, it means that you’re suffering from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
What are the Consequences of a Restricted Airway?
The effects of OSA may not be immediately obvious (especially if you live alone with no one else to hear you snoring). But because your rest keeps getting interrupted, you’re likely to become excessively drowsy during the day as a result of never reaching the deeper restorative stages of sleep. This is especially dangerous while driving, but it can also end up affecting the quality of your work and hurt your career as a result.
Furthermore, OSA puts a lot of stress on the body, causing your blood pressure to rise. Naturally, this means that over time you’ll be more likely to experience a heart attack or a stroke. In other words, if you don’t treat OSA as soon as you can, you could ultimately pay for it with your life.
What Can You Do About a Restricted Airway?
If you have OSA, your first thought might not be, “I need to see a dentist near me.” However, the truth is that a dental practice might be the perfect place to receive sleep apnea treatment in Kittanning. They can give you a custom-made oral appliance that repositions your tongue and jaw so that the airway stays open. This is usually considered a far more comfortable and convenient alternative to a CPAP machine (a device that forces air into your throat that has been used as the “traditional” treatment for sleep-related breathing disorders).
Having your disorder treated as soon as possible will significantly improve your snoring as well as your other OSA symptoms. Call your dentist today to schedule an appointment before sleeping with a restricted airway starts to have a major negative impact on your life.
About the Author
Dr. Ray Voller is a proud member of the Pennsylvania Dental Association and has been practicing in Kittanning since his graduation from the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine in 1980. Thanks to his clinical expertise, he can guide you through the treatment of having sleep apnea diagnosed and explain your treatment options. To schedule an appointment, visit his website or call (724) 543-4948.