Sleep is meant to leave us feeling rested, restored, and energized. But for those struggling with sleep apnea, an entire night’s rest may not be enough to ward off exhaustion, brain fog, and other issues. At Northview Family Dental, we recognize the role sleep apnea plays in our wellness. If you live in Spokane, WA, knowing the symptoms is an important first step toward improving your sleep and your health.
Most often, people are unaware that they have sleep apnea. Because this condition occurs during sleep, many simply don’t realize that they are suffering from sleep problems that may have become chronic. If you or someone in your family experiences these conditions, it may be a good idea to schedule an evaluation sooner rather than later.
Common Signs & Symptoms Of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which a person’s breathing starts and stops during their sleep, repeatedly. Often, these breathing interruptions happen dozens or even hundreds of times throughout one night, meaning that a person never truly gets to their restful sleep cycle. Many patients associate sleep apnea with loud snoring. While snoring is a symptom of sleep apnea, this disorder manifests in other ways, too. Common signs include:
- Loud snoring.
- Gasping or choking or snorting during sleep.
- Frequent night-time awakenings.
- Waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat.
- Morning headaches.
- Excessive daytime sleepiness.
Because these symptoms occur while asleep, it is often not until someone else observes them that patients can learn they suffer from this condition.
Daytime Symptoms You Shouldn't Ignore
In addition to nighttime problems, the effects of sleep apnea are noticeable in the daytime. Even though people with sleep apnea are able to spend enough time sleeping at night, their sleep isn’t of high enough quality to leave them feeling restored once they wake. Some patients will notice an impact on both their personal lives and their jobs as a result of their daytime sleepiness. Some symptoms of this include:
- Trouble focusing or paying attention.
- Difficulty with memory or clarity.
- Changes in mood or behavior, such as irritability.
- Feeling sleepier than usual.
- Low energy.
For many people in Spokane, WA, these symptoms become a part of their routine, so they may not recognize the significance of these feelings and behaviors.
Understanding The Health Risks Of Untreated Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea isn’t merely a nuisance. It is a sleep disorder that can contribute to many health problems, some of which may be life-threatening. Every time breathing is interrupted, a patient’s oxygen levels will fall. Over time, breathing interruptions can cause more problems throughout the body. Research shows that sleep apnea is linked to increased levels of:
- Blood pressure.
- Cardiovascular health risks.
- Glucose regulation.
- Cognitive decline.
- Accidents and injuries.
Early detection and treatment of sleep apnea can help lower these risks, improving not only sleep quality but also overall health.
Diagnosing Sleep Apnea
The diagnosis begins with a detailed conversation about your sleep habits and symptoms, medical history, and general airway health. At Northview Family Dental, we can use this information to determine if you might have an underlying sleep-related breathing disorder. Often, we will ask questions related to:
- How often and how loudly you snore.
- Daytime exhaustion or poor sleep quality.
- Snoring or pauses in your breathing during the night.
- Medical issues that may be putting airway stress on you.
Due to the number of sleep apnea symptoms that mimic other issues, collecting this information allows us to determine if additional testing is necessary.
What Does A Sleep Study Tell Us?
While many tests can help us rule out the possibility of sleep apnea, you need a sleep study to make an official diagnosis of the disorder. A sleep study monitors your breathing patterns, oxygen levels, heart rate, and sleeping activities during the night. Depending on your needs, you may either complete an at-home sleep study or visit a sleep lab to undergo an all-night evaluation. A sleep study may indicate if you have sleep apnea and how serious that problem is. During your sleep study, we will look for signs of:
- Breathing interruptions and the frequency of these interruptions.
- Oxygen levels and sleep quality.
- Number of times your sleeping state changes throughout the night.
- The severity of your sleep apnea.
This information allows us to develop an effective treatment plan that addresses your unique needs.
Does Airway & Oral Anatomy Play A Role?
As part of the diagnostic process, the dental professional may also look at oral structures that may be contributing to restricted airflow. The size and position of your jaw and mouth may be a factor in snoring, apnea events, or poor sleep quality. At Northview Family Dental, our airway-focused evaluation may include taking a look at the:
- Size, placement, and shape of the jaw.
- Placement and size of the tongue and other structures in your mouth.
- Symptoms of teeth clenching and grinding.
- Evidence of airflow blockage and/or restricted breathing.
Digital x-rays may also help to identify oral structures that are contributing to your airway problem or poor sleep.
Choosing Northview Family Dental For Your Sleep Apnea Needs
The first step toward improving your quality of sleep and health is learning the cause. Northview Family Dental provides patients with quality exams designed to help determine if an airway problem exists and if further testing is necessary.
Here, we offer patients from across the Spokane, WA area the expertise and technology needed to understand the role that your oral health plays in airway dysfunction and restful sleep. With exams, digital x-rays, and education, you will get the insight necessary to understand the cause of your sleep apnea.
Most importantly, our goal is to find answers. If poor sleep, snoring or chronic exhaustion are a regular occurrence, a professional evaluation can help you to identify the underlying cause and find your path toward better and healthier sleep.