Snoring, Headaches, and Sleepiness Are Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

The most noticeable external symptom of sleep apnea is loud snoring, which your spouse will likely notice before you do. However, snoring throughout the night also causes a dry mouth or sore throat upon waking up. If you constantly wake up with soreness or the urge to drink water, you might have sleep apnea.

Additionally, you could feel fatigued throughout the day. You may think this lack of concentration and focus is general tiredness. But, generally, apnea leaves people tired, slow, and distressed. Also, morning headaches go hand in hand with sleep apnea as a sign that you didn’t get enough rest during the night. If these symptoms hit close to home, you might have sleep apnea.

The Dangers If Left Untreated

Unfortunately, this can cause serious problems if left untreated. The pressing conditions below have been studied in depth in people with sleep apnea.

  • Tiredness and fatigue lead to daytime drowsiness, irritability, and lack of concentration. Because of this, people with sleep apnea have an increased risk of car accidents. Accidents in the workplace also increase. Additionally, irritability can lead to mood swings, depressed states, or anger toward others.
  • The lack of oxygen causes high blood pressure and other heart problems. The strain of stopping and starting to breathe increases the risk of hypertension (high blood pressure). With hypertension, your risk of heart attack, stroke, and abnormal heartbeat disorders increase.
  • The liver also rests during sleep. When someone has apnea, they are more likely to develop scarring on the liver.
  • When apnea disrupts sleep, the risk of developing insulin resistance increases. Therefore, the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes increases as well.
  • Though this isn’t a direct health concern, loud snoring oftentimes causes sleep disturbances with partners or spouses. Because of this, spouses and partners may experience restlessness and drowsiness as well.

Oral Appliance Therapy

Traditionally, CPAP was the only option for treatment. Today, there is much more comfortable and convenient alternativeーoral appliance therapy. Oral appliance therapy is a proven treatment for reducing the negative effects. When we diagnose you with sleep apnea, we will fit you with a custom oral sleep appliance. This oral appliance is worn like a night guard and works by supporting the jaw while opening the airway for effective breathing. At Rory B. Sprouse DMD, PC, your apnea specialist will work with you to ensure that your oral appliance fits comfortably. Then, we will regularly check-in to make sure that it helps improve your sleep, mitigate your symptoms, and makes you feel renewed.

Benefits of Oral Appliance Therapy

When you commit to oral appliance therapy, you can reduce the health risks of sleep apnea. Even better, you will enjoy the benefits of feeling your best. For instance, you will start waking up refreshed from a better quality of sleep. That rejuvenated feeling will last with you throughout the day as you experience more energy. These factors alone lead to an improved quality of life. But, there’s moreーyour actual symptoms, like snoring and headaches, could completely disappear. You will also reduce your risk of health problems such as heart attack and stroke.

Sleep Apnea Treatment in Marietta Can Improve Your Life

If you feel drowsy, tired, or slow throughout the day, you might have sleep apnea. Don’t wait until you get into a car crash due to drowsiness to talk to your dentist! Schedule an appointment by calling us at (770) 973-1380 to talk to Dr. Sprouse about treatment.