Do you or your partner have issues staying asleep because of snoring? Do you wake up still feeling groggy and tired?
Millions of Americans snore, and while many people don’t realize they snore, their partners certainly do. Snoring in and of itself is not a dire medical condition, but coupled with other symptoms, it may indicate Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). Snoring and sleep apnea can cause a person to stop breathing repeatedly during sleep. In addition to providing general dentistry options, Dr. Leonard Hess offers snoring and sleep apnea treatment.
Dr. Leonard Hess provides snoring and sleep apnea treatments in Monroe, NC. He uses a snore guard to help patients stop snoring and get a better night’s sleep. Some people can stop snoring by losing weight, avoiding tobacco, and limiting alcohol before bed. Others, however, have a problem that needs to be addressed by a medical professional. Your dentist in Monroe, NC offers treatment for snoring patients, bringing relief from symptoms and a good night’s sleep for all!
Snoring, although common, can be a sign of a serious health concern known as Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). There are a variety of risk factors for OSA, which is more common in men and overweight patients.
Sleep Apnea Risk Factors
While anyone can develop sleep apnea, some people are more at risk than others. Understanding the risk factors for sleep apnea can help you take steps to prevent or manage the condition.
Obesity
One of the biggest risk factors for sleep apnea is being overweight or obese. Extra weight, especially around the neck and throat, can narrow the airway, making it more difficult for air to flow freely during sleep. This can lead to pauses in breathing, a key sign of sleep apnea. Losing weight through a healthy diet and exercise may help reduce the severity of sleep apnea or even eliminate it in some cases.
Age
As you get older, your risk of developing sleep apnea increases. Sleep apnea is more common in adults over 40, though it can occur at any age. Older adults may have weaker muscle tone in the throat, which can contribute to airway blockages during sleep. However, sleep apnea is not limited to adults—children can develop the condition, too, often due to enlarged tonsils or adenoids.
Gender
Men are twice as likely to develop sleep apnea as women. This may be because men tend to have larger necks and more fatty tissue around the throat, which can obstruct the airway. However, women’s risk of sleep apnea increases after menopause, so both men and women need to be aware of the condition.
Family History
If sleep apnea runs in your family, you may be at higher risk of developing it. Genetics can affect how your airway is structured and whether you are more prone to airway obstruction during sleep. If your parents or siblings have sleep apnea, you should talk to your doctor about your risk and any symptoms you may have.
Smoking
Smoking is another major risk factor for sleep apnea. Smoking irritates the airways and can cause inflammation, which increases the likelihood of airway obstruction. Smokers are also at higher risk for other respiratory conditions, such as chronic nasal congestion, which can make sleep apnea worse. Quitting smoking can improve your overall health and reduce your risk of sleep apnea.
Other Risk Factors
Other factors that can increase your risk of sleep apnea include having a small airway, large tonsils, or a large tongue. Additionally, people with certain medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease, are at a higher risk of developing sleep apnea. Alcohol use and sedative medications can also relax the muscles in the throat, increasing the chances of airway obstruction during sleep.
The Impacts of Sleep Apnea
While the pauses from sleep apnea may last only a few seconds, they can occur many times during a single night, leading to both short-term and long-term health consequences. Understanding the effects of sleep apnea is essential for recognizing the importance of getting treatment for this condition, which can improve both quality of life and overall health.
Short-Term Effects of Sleep Apnea
- Daytime Fatigue
One of the most common short-term effects of sleep apnea is extreme tiredness during the day. As a result of repeated interruptions to sleep, people with sleep apnea often experience poor-quality sleep. Despite spending a full night in bed, they wake up feeling unrefreshed and may struggle to stay awake throughout the day. This persistent fatigue can make it difficult to concentrate, perform daily tasks, and engage in activities that require focus, such as driving or operating machinery. - Frequent Night Wakings
People with sleep apnea frequently wake up during the night due to breathing difficulties. These waking episodes may be brief, and people may not even remember them in the morning, but they can still disrupt sleep cycles. As a result, sleep is fragmented, and the body does not have enough time to progress through the deeper stages of restorative sleep, such as REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, which is vital for mental and physical health. - Snoring
Loud snoring is another short-term effect of sleep apnea. While snoring is common among people with sleep apnea, not everyone who snores has the condition. Snoring occurs because the airway is partially obstructed, causing turbulent airflow. In people with sleep apnea, the snoring may be interrupted by pauses in breathing, followed by a loud gasp or choking sound when breathing resumes. These disruptions can disturb the person with sleep apnea and their bed partner, affecting everyone’s sleep quality. - Difficulty Concentrating and Memory Problems
The lack of restorative sleep can lead to difficulty concentrating, poor memory, and reduced cognitive function. People with untreated sleep apnea often report “brain fog,” which makes it harder to focus, solve problems, or recall information. This can significantly impact work or school performance and overall mental clarity. - Mood Swings and Irritability
Sleep apnea can also affect a person’s mood. The combination of sleep disruption, fatigue, and frustration can lead to irritability, anxiety, and even depression. Chronic tiredness can cause short tempers, mood swings, and a reduced ability to manage stress. In some cases, people with sleep apnea may feel anxious about their condition, especially if they’re unaware that sleep apnea is causing their symptoms. - Increased Heart Rate and Blood Pressure
During an apnea event (when breathing stops), oxygen levels in the blood drop, which can cause the body to respond by increasing heart rate and blood pressure. While these effects may be temporary, they can be harmful in the short term, especially in individuals with pre-existing heart conditions. This is why sleep apnea can sometimes cause discomfort or chest tightness during the night.
Long-Term Effects of Sleep Apnea
- Heart Disease and Stroke
If left untreated, sleep apnea can contribute to long-term heart problems, including high blood pressure, heart failure, and an increased risk of stroke. The repeated drops in oxygen levels and spikes in blood pressure caused by sleep apnea events put extra strain on the cardiovascular system. Over time, this increased stress can lead to the development of heart disease and significantly raise the risk of having a heart attack or stroke. - Type 2 Diabetes
Sleep apnea is also linked to an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. People with sleep apnea often experience insulin resistance, meaning the body doesn’t respond as effectively to insulin. This can make it harder to regulate blood sugar levels, leading to a higher risk of diabetes. The lack of sleep can also disrupt the body’s ability to manage glucose, further contributing to metabolic issues. - Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Untreated sleep apnea can lead to chronic fatigue syndrome, a condition characterized by long-term, extreme fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest. As sleep quality worsens, people with sleep apnea may become increasingly exhausted. This fatigue can interfere with daily activities and reduce the ability to perform basic tasks, significantly affecting quality of life. - Cognitive Decline and Memory Issues
Chronic sleep apnea can contribute to long-term cognitive decline. Over time, the lack of quality sleep can affect the brain’s functioning ability. People with untreated sleep apnea may develop memory problems, trouble concentrating, and even an increased risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. The repeated drops in oxygen levels during the night can cause long-term damage to brain cells, particularly in regions responsible for memory and cognitive processing. - Weight Gain and Obesity
Sleep apnea is often linked to obesity, and the condition can make it harder to lose weight. Poor sleep disrupts the body’s metabolism, increasing hunger and cravings for high-calorie foods. Sleep deprivation also affects the hormones that control appetite, making people hungrier during the day. This combination of factors can lead to weight gain, which worsens sleep apnea, creating a cycle of weight gain and worsening sleep quality. - Complications During Surgery
People with untreated sleep apnea are at greater risk of complications during surgery. The interruptions in breathing and low oxygen levels associated with sleep apnea can make it more difficult for the body to recover after surgery, particularly if general anesthesia is involved. This risk is especially high in individuals with severe sleep apnea. - Impact on Relationships
The long-term effects of sleep apnea can also affect relationships. Snoring, disrupted sleep, and irritability can strain partnerships and lead to a lack of intimacy and connection. In severe cases, sleep apnea can cause partners to sleep in separate rooms, further affecting the relationship quality.
Snoring & Sleep Apnea Treatment
If lifestyle changes are not possible or make no impact on your snoring or sleep apnea, you may need to seek professional treatment. Dr. Hess offers oral appliance therapy, which involves using a snore guard to keep the airways open during sleep, preventing you from snoring.
How Does a Snore Guard Work?
- Repositions the lower jaw, tongue, soft palate, or uvula
- Stabilizes the lower jaw and tongue
- Increases the muscle tone of the tongue
Wake Up Feeling Refreshed
Snoring affects not only the snorer but also their sleep partner. Contact the Union County Center for Comprehensive Dentistry for a consultation with Dr. Leonard Hess to determine if a snore guard is right for you. These and other symptoms may indicate the need for medical evaluation to determine if the patient suffers from OSA and would benefit from treatment.
Snoring and Sleep Apnea FAQs
Snoring and sleep apnea can have detrimental effects on your overall health. Learn more about these conditions by reading the answers to these frequently asked questions.
What causes snoring?
Snoring is a noise caused by vibrations in your airway. During sleep, the muscles in the back of the mouth become relaxed. They can vibrate as air passes over them and, in some cases, partially obstruct your airway. As airflow becomes more difficult, the snoring becomes louder.
Who is most susceptible to sleep apnea issues?
Anyone can snore, but studies indicate that men, older adults, and people who are overweight are more likely to snore. Other factors that contribute to snoring are habits such as alcohol use, smoking, and the use of sedatives.
What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is the most common sleep-breathing disorder. The most noticeable sign of OSA is snoring. It is considered a serious medical condition and can lead to complications, including cardiovascular problems, fatigue, and complications with medications and surgery.
Does sleep apnea go away on its own?
it is very uncommon for sleep apnea to go away on its own. There are things you can do to alleviate it without medical intervention. You can exercise more often, alter your sleep position, use a humidifier, and avoid drinking alcohol and smoking.
Can people with sleep apnea get disability?
No, the Social Security Administration doesn’t consider sleep apnea a condition that qualifies for disability status. You have to meet the definition of being disabled. Some of the side effects and other problems resulting from having sleep apnea may qualify you for disability.
When should I be concerned about my snoring?
Not all people who snore have sleep apnea. But sleep apnea sufferers are almost always people who snore. It can be hard to determine when your snoring is something more serious. You need to see a healthcare provider if snoring disrupts your daily life. When snoring disrupts your sleep, you can have fatigue throughout the day and be prone to falling asleep when you’re doing things like driving your car. Waking up and gasping for air are other indications that there’s a more serious problem at hand.
OSA can be a serious condition and lead to overall health problems, including an increased risk of stroke and heart disease. Call us for treatment options at 704–240–5045, or schedule a consultation online today.