Snoring and Sleep Apnea
Do you wake up and feel as tired as before you went to sleep? Has your sleep partner complained about snoring? If you answered yes, you may be one of the 12 million people in the U.S. suffering from sleep apnea. Often characterized by symptoms such as daytime tiredness, snoring, and irritability, sleep apnea can wreck your quality of life and lead to serious health concerns.
Sleep apnea falls into two categories: central sleep apnea, which occurs when the brain fails to signal breathing, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the most common type of sleep apnea. With OSA, the soft palate blocks the airway and breathing stops for up to 10 seconds, causing the individual to wake up and breathe. These intervals may happen 20 to 30 times a night, disrupting your sleep cycle.
Snoring and sleep apnea can lead to:
- Feelings of depression
- Increased risk of high blood pressure and stroke
- Memory loss
- Reduced productivity
- Weight gain
To determine if your snoring relates to sleep apnea, Dr. Lesser may suggest a sleep study. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, Dr. Lesser can review treatment options. The CPAP mask is seen as the gold standard for sleep apnea sufferers, but many people find it restrictive and uncomfortable. Dr. Lesser can fit you for a night guard, which holds the lower jaw in the correct position, reducing the chances of airway blockage.
