If you’re diagnosed with sleep apnea, it means you’re suffering from a sleeping disorder in which your breathing habits are interrupted or impaired while sleeping. Typically, this can arise due to a blocked airway or interrupted brain signals. If left untreated, it can cause numerous oral ailments including high blood pressure and heart attacks. Thus, it is important to make sure you seek out effective treatment methods and lower your risk factors for sleep apnea.
There are numerous causes of sleep apnea to be aware of. Whether you are a male or have a family history of the disease, there are plenty of conditions that can increase your risk that you have little control over. For instance, if you are over the age of 40 and are male, you’re at extremely high risk for sleep apnea. In addition, genetic predispositions for the disorder also increase your risk. If you have any nasal obstructions due to a deviated septum, suffer from any allergies or sinus problems, or have large tonsils, a large tongue, or a small jaw, you may be at risk for sleep apnea.
However, there are two forms of sleep apnea to be aware of. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when your airway is blocked while you sleep. This can be caused by a weight issue or your sleeping position. Another rarer form of sleep apnea is known as central sleep apnea. Central sleep apnea arises due to blocked brain signals being sent from your brain to your muscles in your chest instructing them to take breaths. Both cases can lead to severe conditions including brain infections, stroke, brain tumors, and heart failure.
No matter which sleep apnea treatments you select, the real importance is the oral health benefits it can give. If you would like Dr. John McMurray and our team at Legacy Smiles Family Dental to bring you in for a comprehensive exam to determine which treatment is right for you, please schedule an appointment at our dentist office in Meridian, Idaho, by calling us at 208-888-3311 .