My Partner Thinks I Have Sleep Apnea – How Can I Tell?

Sleep apnea is a serious condition that can impact your health and quality of life. Our team at Highlight Family Dentistry is pleased to offer sleep apnea solutions to restore your restful sleep and enhance your sense of wellness. Visit our Hutto practice to get started today! 

What Is Sleep Apnea?

If your partner alerts you to loud snoring and you wake up tired and sleepy, you may suffer from a devastating sleep disorder known as sleep apnea. The condition is characterized by repeated pauses in breathing through the night, lasting up to 10 seconds at a time. 

Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type of sleep apnea. It results from the muscles at the back of the throat relaxing during sleep, which causes the soft tissues to collapse and block the upper airway. The brain, sensing the oxygen deprivation, wakes you up to resume breathing. This sleep-wake cycle can occur hundreds of times each night.

How Can You Tell If You Have Sleep Apnea?

Here are some tell-tale signs of sleep apnea:

• Your partner complains of loud snoring
• You wake up choking or gasping for breath
• You find it hard to stay asleep
• You experience frequent morning headaches
• You wake up with a dry mouth
• You grind your teeth in your sleep, a condition known as bruxism
• You experience weight gain not explained by poor diet or lack of exercise
• You wake up feeling tired and have no energy during the day
• You find it difficult to concentrate on your work or tasks
• You are anxious, irritable, or moody throughout your day

If you have symptoms of sleep apnea, don’t wait. Contact Highlight Family Dentistry to get your health on track and regain your restful, rejuvenating sleep. 

How Can Sleep Apnea Impact Your Health and Quality of Life?

Poor quality sleep can be detrimental to your health and quality of life. It can leave you tired and lethargic during the day and impact your performance. Sleep deprivation can interfere with your focus and concentration, increasing your risk of driving or workplace accidents. 

Being tired and moody can also affect your relationships and leave you withdrawn and depressed. Moreover, sleep apnea can put you at a higher risk of serious health concerns, including heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, type 2 diabetes, chronic acid reflux, metabolic syndrome, surgery complications, and more. 

What Are Treatments for Sleep Apnea?

The first step in treatment is diagnosing sleep apnea, which involves a sleep study. Traditional sleep apnea treatments involve using a continuous positive airway pressure or CPAP machine. The device delivers pressurized air through a mask to keep the airway open and provide a constant oxygen flow during sleep. Unfortunately, many patients find that the noisy, cumbersome machine doesn’t help them sleep any better. 

Highlight Family Dentistry is pleased to offer more effective and comfortable sleep apnea solutions. We may recommend oral appliance therapy to restore your restful sleep. That may involve the use of a mandibular advancement device, which is worn like a mouthguard and keeps the jaw in a forward position to keep the airway open. Another option is a soft tissue repositioning oral device, a splint-like oral appliance that keeps your tongue in place to help maintain an open airway.

Sleep Apnea Treatment Options Near Me in Hutto, TX

Visit Highlight Family Dentistry to learn more about our safe and effective sleep apnea solutions. Our experienced team will evaluate your needs and recommend the most suitable treatment option to restore your restful sleep and enhance your quality of life. Call us at (512) 886-2644 to schedule your appointment, or book one online today!