Sleep apnea is a potentially fatal disease characterized by pauses in your breathing. If a patient has this condition, their breathing may pause and restart several times during the night. It may cause shortness of breath and a lack of oxygen supply to the body. Do you stay tired even after you have slept the entire night? These are the most common sleep apnea symptoms and could be suffering from the disorder. It could cause several complications to your overall health if left untreated. Our dentists at Lake Shore Family Dental Care have decided to shed some like on what causes sleep apnea for your knowledge.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Before jumping into what causes sleep apnea, let us first find out what is sleep apnea. It is essentially a sleeping disorder that leads to interrupted breathing. There are primarily three types of this condition. They are Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Complex Sleep Apnea, and Central Sleep Apnea. It is best to visit your Whitehall dentist if you detect this condition since it could cause other issues such as high blood pressure, strokes, heart attacks, and even heart failure.
Can It Affect Our Overall Health?
This condition is strongly linked to poor health. Sleep apnea can cause you to breathe through your mouth that could lead to issues of missing teeth, dry mouth, and even periodontal disease. It may also cause teeth grinding, TMJ problems, and other oral health complications. If you notice any of these sleep apnea symptoms then rush to your dentist in Whitehall without any delay.
What Causes Sleep Apnea?
Let us focus on the factors that could lead to this condition. Your favorite Whitehall dentist has listed some of the most common causes below so that you can be careful about this sleeping disorder.
Overweight
Obese people are more prone to this sleeping disorder. A drastic increase in weight can lead to a narrow airway. This is the primary cause of chronic snoring and might even lead to breathlessness.
Blocked Nose
You must be very careful of a blocked nose. Blockage of the nasal passages can cause breathing problems as well as sleep apnea. In such cases, a person may struggle to breathe and is likely to have the obstructive type of the disorder. Whenever you experience such difficulties in breathing, visit your Whitehall dentist to avoid further complications.
Using Sedatives
Sedatives have been linked to muscle spasms, which can block the airway and cause prolonged pauses in breathing. Excessive sedation could also cause this sleeping disorder.
Hormonal Imbalances
Hormonal problems, such as hypothyroidism or acromegaly, can cause tissue inflammation and may raise the chances of obesity. These frequently result in sleep problems, causing the patient a great deal of discomfort and lethargy.
Using Tobacco
Heavy smokers are more likely to suffer from this issue. Tobacco particles have the potential to cause swelling of the upper airways. This could result in clogged apneas. If you are a regular user of tobacco products then you must get yourself checked by your dentist in Whitehall and get it cured.
We hope this blog has provided you with the required information. Looking for the best sleep apnea treatment in Whitehall, MI? Visit us at Lake Shore Family Dental Care and we will take care of all your dental needs.