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    • What is Sleep Apnea?
    • The Symptoms and Causes of Sleep Apnea
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      • How Snoring Damages Relationships
      • The Hazards of Untreated Sleep Apnea
      • PTSD and Sleep Apnea
      • Pregnancy and Sleep Apnea
      • Sleep Apnea in Children
      • Sleep Apnea & Your Weight
      • Sleep Apnea & ADHD
      • Mouth and Throat Exercises for Sleep Apnea
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The Symptoms and Causes of Sleep Apnea

  • What is Sleep Apnea?
  • The Symptoms and Causes of Sleep Apnea
  • Sleep Apnea Treatments
  • How Snoring Damages Relationships
  • PTSD and Sleep Apnea
  • Pregnancy and Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that can affect an individual for a variety of different reasons. There are several symptoms and causes of sleep apnea that can help provide a proper diagnosis. However, sleep apnea can be difficult to self-diagnose and as a result, can go undetected for years.

Since sleep apnea occurs during sleeping hours, an individual who lives alone might not be aware of their sleep apnea. Oftentimes, it’s a bed partner who alerts the sleep sufferer of their loud snoring or gasps for air, as it also affects the non-suffering sleep apnea person. It can be easy to brush off or misinterpret symptoms of fatigue, irritability, or insomnia. If you do experience any of the symptoms associated with sleep apnea, contact our Bryan, TX dentist, Dr. Reece, for a consultation.

Symptoms
Causes of Sleep Apnea
Why Sleep Apnea Can Be Dangerous
Symptoms

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

It’s extremely important to pay close attention to our bodies. In doing so, we may be able to identify abnormalities in our bodies, energy, and overall health. If you constantly suffer from extreme fatigue, loud snoring, or choking, you may be living with a sleep disorder. Although not all snoring is directly caused by sleep apnea, it is a common symptom of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).

One of the most recognizable symptoms of sleep apnea is the chronic, raucous breathing. Because soft tissue blocks airflow, individuals with sleep apnea snore loudly as they struggle to inhale and exhale. These breathing problems caused by OSA may affect a person’s ability to get a full night’s rest – leading to:

  • Daytime fatigue and sleepiness
  • Grogginess during the day
  • Morning headaches
  • Insomnia
  • Memory loss
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Nocturia
  • Dry mouth
  • Sore throat
  • Night sweating
Causes of Sleep Apnea

Causes of Sleep Apnea

While there is no single cause of sleep apnea, there are certain health and behavioral factors that can increase an individual’s risk of developing this condition. However, there are certain risk factors that should be considered and could be related to sleep apnea, such as genetic predisposition and weight.

Other factors that may play a role in your sleep apnea diagnosis include:

  • Gender
  • Menopause
  • Obesity
  • Body type – large neck
  • Suffering from hypertension
  • GERD (gastro-enteral reflux disease) acid reflux

It’s important to note that although sleep apnea is treatable, it may not always be prevented. As mentioned, sleep apnea is a hereditary condition meaning that a person who has a family history of sleep apnea may not live unscathed.

Why Sleep Apnea Can Be Dangerous

Why Sleep Apnea Can Be Dangerous

Living with an untreated sleep disorder such as sleep apnea can be dangerous and in the most severe cases, deadly. In fact, individuals with an untreated and undiagnosed sleep disorder live with three times the risk of premature death.

There are consequences of neglecting treatment. Some of the long-term consequences of sleep apnea and the associated sleep deprivation include a higher risk of:

  • Depression
  • Stroke
  • High blood pressure
  • Heart disease
  • Diabetes  

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the different types of sleep apnea?
What are the warning signs of sleep apnea?
What can happen if sleep apnea goes untreated?
What are the different types of sleep apnea?
There are three types of sleep apnea:

 

  • Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA): This is the most common type of sleep apnea. OSA is when the breathing stops involuntarily for periods of time during sleep when the airway has become blocked, narrowed, or floppy. 
  • Central sleep apnea: There is no blockage of the airway, but the brain doesn’t send the proper signals to the respiratory muscles to breathe. 
  • Mixed sleep apnea: This is a combination of obstructive and central sleep apnea.
What are the warning signs of sleep apnea?
One of the most common signs of sleep apnea is loud snoring. However, not everyone who snores suffers from sleep apnea. Here are some other common signs that can be an indication of the disorder:

 

  • Chronic fatigue
  • Waking up gasping or choking
  • Excessive drowsiness during the day
  • Dry mouth or sore throat when waking up
  • Morning headache
  • Lack of concentration
  • Mood swings
  • Depression
  • High blood pressure
  • Forgetfulness
  • Swelling in the legs
What can happen if sleep apnea goes untreated?
The side effects of sleep apnea can disrupt your daily life because of the disorder’s severe impact on your overall health. If left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to:

 

  • Low energy and reduced productivity 
  • Irritability, anxiety, and mood swings
  • Hypertension
  • Diabetes
  • Headaches
  • Depression
  • Heart failure, irregular heartbeats, and heart attacks.

Contact Dr. Reece Today!

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If you believe you may have sleep apnea, don’t neglect treatment any longer! Scheduling a consultation with Dr. Reece at our Bryan, TX dental practice can help determine the root of the problem and ensure that you get the professional treatment you deserve. Call us today to get started!

Address:
1615 Barak Ln. Suite 1, Bryan, TX 77802
New Patients: 979-846-6515
Current Patients: 979-846-6515
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