A Few Facts About Sleep Apnea

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You probably know that going to bed early and still waking up exhausted tends to happen to everyone, but did you know that if this happens to you consistently, you could be suffering from sleep apnea? Sadly, if you have sleep apnea you could have to cope with a number of serious issues.

You see, if you have sleep apnea, you’ll stop breathing for ten seconds or more while you’re asleep.And because you’ll be sleeping, this condition could be difficult to diagnose. Luckily, there are several things you can do to recognize sleep apnea at home. For example, one of the common signs of sleep apnea is snoring or making other noises while you sleep. Similarly, if you have sleep apnea, you may wake up with headaches several times a week, have a hard time focusing, and you may feel lethargic frequently. Fortunately, a dentist is often the first person to recognize this problem.

However, the type of treatment you need depends on the type of sleep apnea you have. For example, there are custom oral appliances that may reposition your jaw and improve airflow. A CPAP machine may also be useful. However, CPAP machines are sometimes considered loud and uncomfortable, so some prefer an oral appliance.

Sadly, untreated sleep apnea could lead to a number of serious issues. For example, if you have sleep apnea, you may have to cope with high blood pressure, stroke, heart failure, depression, headaches, and fatigue.

If you think you may be suffering from sleep apnea, we can help. Our dentist, Dr. Alex Fleming, has been trained to recognize the symptoms of this condition and will be happy to examine your mouth. If you would like to schedule an appointment with us, please don’t hesitate to contact Fleming Dental at 919-682-5327. We look forward to hearing from you!