Sleep apnea is a very common and overlooked condition that disrupts breathing during sleep. Recognising its symptoms and addressing them on a timely basis is extremely important to improve your sleep quality and overall well-being. Here, a professional consultation, healthy lifestyle and optimal sleeping habits plays an irreplaceable role.
But what are the latest developments in dealing with this disorder? How does an expert orthodontist help you with it? Does it always need a medical intervention?
At Your Healthy Smile, a trusted St Clair dental clinic, we understand the impact of sleep apnea on your health and are here to guide you through effective solutions.
Understanding Sleep Apnea and Its Symptoms
Sleep apnea arises when the airway becomes partially or completely blocked during sleep. It ultimately leads to breathing interruptions. Since rapid eye movement (REM) based deep sleep is vital for regulating physical and mental health, sleep apnea must be attended to as soon as possible. The most common and recognisable symptoms include:
- Loud snoring and gasping for air during sleep.
- Daytime fatigue and difficulty concentrating.
- Morning headaches and dry mouth upon waking.
- Interrupted breathing observed by a partner.
- Mood disturbances such as irritability and depression.
- Difficulty in concentrating during active hours.
These symptoms of sleep apnea vary in severity, with some individuals experiencing mild discomfort whilst others face significant sleep disruption.
How to Improve Sleep with Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea can eventually lead to health issues like hypertension, heart disease and diabetes if left untreated. Early diagnosis of sleep apnea symptoms and professional intervention play an irreplaceable role in its effective management. Here are a few things you can follow:
1. Consult a Professional
The first step in addressing sleep apnea symptoms is to consult an orthodontist who specialises in it. They can expertly assess your condition and recommend appropriate treatments, such as:
- Oral Appliance Therapy: Custom-fitted devices like Mandibular advancement devices (MADs) reposition your jaw and tongue to keep the airway open to prevent airway obstruction. Tongue-retaining devices from an experienced dental professional keep the tongue from blocking airflow.
- Continuous Positive Airway Pressure: It is a machine that delivers steady air pressure to prevent airway collapse. The therapy using newer CPAP machines is quieter, compact and more comfortable.
At Your Healthy Smile clinic, our St Clair orthodontist team accurately diagnoses symptoms of sleep apnea and offers a wide range of customised solutions.
2. Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle
Lifestyle changes like the ones below can significantly reduce the severity of sleep apnea symptoms:
- Lose Excess Weight: Excess weight, particularly around the neck, can contribute to airway obstruction. An active lifestyle and targeted fitness regime can improve sleep apnea symptoms. Avoiding high-fat and processed foods helps as they increase inflammation and lead to throat fat deposition.
- Avoid Alcohol and Sedatives: These substances must be avoided as they relax your throat muscles and increase the risk of airway blockage.
- Quit Smoking: Smoking and tobacco consumption can cause inflammation and retention of fluid in the upper airway, worsening your sleep apnea symptoms.
3. Optimise Your Sleep Environment
Creating a sleep-friendly environment can help mitigate symptoms of sleep apnea:
- Sleep on Your Side: Sleeping on your back can cause the tongue and soft tissues to collapse into the airway. This increases airway obstruction and impacts the airflow. Side sleeping with a pillow helps maintain a more open airway.
- Elevate Your Head: Elevating the head of your bed by approximately 10-15 centimetres also helps reduce sleep apnea symptoms by improving airflow. Using a doctor approved wedge pillow or adjustable bed can be considered.
- Keep Your Bedroom Cool and Dark: A comfortable and cold environment promotes deeper, REM-based restorative sleep. You can consider using blackout curtains and white noise audio to further aid in a better quality of sleep.
4. Practice Good Sleep Hygiene
Establishing a consistent sleep routine is often underlooked but can significantly improve your sleep quality:
- Limit Screen Time: Avoid electronic devices and caffeine intake before bedtime, as they disrupt melatonin production.
- Relax Before Bedtime: Calming activities like reading or meditation help to prepare your body and mind for a night of better sleep. Finish physical exercise at least three hours before your bedtime to prevent stimulating effects that may interfere with sleep readiness.
Following a healthy lifestyle and proper sleeping habits contribute significantly as self management measures, but professional consultation proves as the most effective option if symptoms get difficult to manage.
How A Dental Professional Can Help You
Dental professionals, particularly those specialising in sleep disorders, play a crucial and definitive role when treating sleep apnea. During routine check-ups, dentists may notice signs of sleep apnea such as an enlarged tongue, worn tooth surfaces from grinding or a small jaw structure that could predispose patients to breathing difficulties.
Here, a qualified St Clair orthodontist can assess your oral anatomy to study airway obstruction and recommend appropriate interventions. The good news is availability of various non-invasive and effective options for mild to moderate sleep apnea symptoms.
Why Choose Your Healthy Smile Clinic?
At Your Healthy Smile, better sleep and improved health for you is our aim. Our team of experts provide you with comprehensive care, from accurately diagnosing the symptoms of sleep apnea to delivering personalised treatment plans. Some of the aspects include:
- Initial screening for sleep apnea during dental examinations.
- Custom-fitted oral appliances designed for your specific anatomy by our experienced St Clair orthodontist team.
- Follow-up adjustments to ensure optimal effectiveness.
Book an dentist appointment with us to effectively treat sleep apnea symptoms and improve your sleep quality. Avoid long-term health risks associated with untreated sleep apnea like hypertension, heart disease and stroke by taking proactive measures by yourself as well.
FAQs
- How do I know if I need a sleep apnea test?
If you snore loudly, experience daytime fatigue, or wake up gasping, look online for a dental clinic near me or a sleep specialist for assessment. - Can sleep apnea symptoms be reversed?
Mild sleep apnea can improve with weight loss, lifestyle changes and oral appliances. Severe cases may require long-term CPAP therapy or surgery. - How can I sleep with sleep apnea without CPAP?
Use oral appliances, side sleeping, weight management, and humidifiers. If in St Clair searching for a dental clinic near me can get you customised mandibular advancement devices. - What is the best position to sleep in to clear your lungs?
Side sleeping, particularly on your left side, improves airway stability and reduces obstructions, benefiting both lung health and sleep apnea symptoms. - What lifestyle changes help with sleep apnea?
Weight loss, avoiding alcohol, quitting smoking, improving sleep posture, and using prescribed medical treatments can significantly reduce symptoms.