Los Angeles dentist Igal Elyassi, DDS, says that over 20% of adult Americans suffer from sleep apnea, but 90% of those have never been diagnosed.
“Our L.A. sleep apnea doctors see many patients whose spouses complain about their snoring. This can be a symptom of a disorder with serious consequences,” says Elyassi, who practices at Wilshire Smile Studio. “Snoring interferes with sound sleep. Sleep deprivation makes it hard to focus at work, makes the individual more moody, and more likely to be in accidents of all kinds.”
Lack of sleep denies the body the ability to renew itself and lowers the immune system, making it vulnerable to viruses. This can result in weight gain, risk of diabetes, and raises the likelihood of high blood pressure, heart failure, stroke, lower sex drive, and Alzheimer’s.
Sleep apnea is a pause for one or more breaths, which can occur upwards of 100 times an hour, Elyassi explains. In addition to snoring, symptoms may include migraine headaches in the morning, waking up with a choking sensation, sore throat or “cotton mouth,” drowsiness during the day, and memory problems.
The most common type is obstructive apnea, caused by a blockage due to excess soft tissue in the upper throat. The conventional treatment that doctors use to control obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is an continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device, which requires the patient to wear a mask. Wilshire Smile Studio has an alternative approach for OSA, which may be covered by health insurance, says Elyassi. Wilshire Smile Studio dentists can make a dental appliance that can be worn comfortably and will keep the airway open, allowing normal sleep.
It is important that anyone suffering from the symptoms get a diagnosis as soon as possible, Elyassi concludes.
The post Snoring Can Be Symptom of Disorder with Serious Consequences appeared first on Dental Sleep Corner.