Sometimes a full night’s sleep doesn’t feel as refreshing as it should. Do you regularly feel like falling asleep in the middle of the day, even while driving? It could mean that you’re not actually getting as much rest as you should. Across the country, more than 25 million Americans are currently suffering from sleep apnea – a dangerous sleep disorder that can leave you exhausted and put your overall health at risk. It’s important to understand how sleep apnea impacts your ability to rest well – not to mention the health benefits of having the disorder treated sooner rather than later. Read on to learn everything you need to know to protect yourself from sleep apnea in Leesburg.
How Does Sleep Apnea Rob You of Rest?
Did you know that you can wake up multiple times during the night without even realizing it? That’s what will likely happen if you’re suffering from sleep apnea. The disorder occurs when your airway becomes obstructed while you’re asleep (often due to soft tissues in your mouth or throat collapsing). When you can’t breathe, your body is forced to wake up to get some oxygen. Each awakening is very brief, and in fact you most likely won’t remember them at all. Unfortunately, they’ll still interrupt your sleep cycle and prevent you from reaching the all-important stages of deep sleep. As a result, your body won’t restore all of the energy it lost during the day, your immune system will be weakened, and the growth and repair of tissues and bones will be impaired.
What are the Benefits of Treating Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea can go undetected for many years, so you may think that you can get by just fine with it. However, once your symptoms have been addressed, you’ll fully appreciate the difference between a refreshing night’s sleep and one disrupted by disordered breathing. Some of the benefits of treatment include:
- High quality sleep that will help you feel more energized during the day
- An overall lower risk of heart problems and stroke (as a number of studies have shown that the incidence of hypertension and stroke is far greater in those who suffer from sleep disturbances).
- An improved outlook on life and a lower risk of depression
- A significantly lower risk of cancer, diabetes, and general mortality.
If you have been diagnosed with a sleep disorder, get in touch with a sleep apnea dentist in Leesburg right away. They can use oral appliances and other methods to treat your symptoms of sleep apnea so that you can wake up feeling refreshed in the morning from now on. Don’t let your body suffer the consequences of sleep disordered breathing any longer than you have to!
About the Author
Dr. Jennifer Pham has spent well over a decade in the dental field, and she loves how every day brings a new experience and a chance to improve the care she can provide for her patients. She is proud to offer oral appliance therapy to patients who have trouble getting enough rest due to sleep apnea. If you’ve been diagnosed with a sleep disorder, get in touch with her at the Downtown Family Dental of Leesburg by visiting her website calling (703) 777-5600.