Millions of people in America snore on a nightly basis. Many of those snorers live here in Lafayette, LA. Perhaps you or your partner snore every night. When is snoring just a nuisance and when is it a sign of a problematic sleep disorder? Snoring that is a symptom of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is something that should not be ignored. If you or someone in your family snores every night, it may be time to talk to your dentist about it. If your snoring is a symptom of OSA, it can have devastating effects on your daily life and some pretty harmful consequences on your long-term health. Treating sleep apnea can give you a better quality of life while decreasing the risks of the related health problems.
OSA on Daily Life
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the soft tissues of your throat and mouth block your airway. It can cause a temporary lack of oxygen, which can signal to your body to wake up and gasp for air. While your brain may not wake up and remember these multiple disturbances, your body will feel it. You may have thought you got a full night of sleep, but you may feel drowsy and restless the next day. If you are not able to reach the deep, restful parts of sleep (a REM cycle), you may not be getting the restorative qualities of sleep that you need. A lack of rest can affect your mood, your hormones, your stress levels, etc. It can make you too drowsy to drive or work properly. It can negatively affect your life.
Long-term Consequences
The multiple times throughout the night where your body gets a lack of oxygen can change the way your body functions. You may develop high blood pressure as your body’s way of overcompensating for the decreased oxygen level in your blood. It can put you at a higher risk of stroke, heart disease, obesity, and more.
Is your snoring a sign of sleep apnea?
Snoring can be a symptom of obstructive sleep apnea. To schedule a consultation, contact us at our Lafayette, LA, dentist’s office at 337-237-6453. We proudly serve patients from Breaux Bridge, Broussard, Scott, Youngsville, and surrounding communities.