People tell plenty of jokes about their spouses’ snoring. It peels the wallpaper. It rattles the windows. The list of barbs goes on, but did you ever consider that snoring may be a symptom of a serious health problem?
It can be, says the National Sleep Foundation. This group of sleep experts says that 37 million adult Americans snore regularly, and about half of these individuals have a dangerous health disorder called sleep apnea. In Natick, Dr. Christina Papageorgiou pinpoints sleep apnea and offers solutions to counter it and deliver better sleep and a healthier you.
What’s a Little Snoring?
In addition to disrupting your interpersonal relationships, snoring often signals an obstructed airway. Some people’s airways become obstructed when the soft tissues at the back of their throat relax, leading to the classic vibrating noise we call snoring.
Unfortunately, snoring is often accompanied by oxygen deprivation, fitful sleeping and startling awake, gasping for air. Bigger health problems associated with this Obstructive Sleep Apnea, or OSA, include:
- Diabetes
- Stroke
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Obesity
- Hypertension
- Dry mouth
- Acid reflux
- Irritability
- Memory problems
Additionally, sleep researchers have found that there are two other kinds of sleep apnea–CSA, or Central Sleep Apnea, and Mixed Sleep Apnea. CSA happens when the brain does not communicate well with the respiratory system. Mixed Sleep Apnea combines OSA and CSA.
Who Snores?
The answer is that most people–both kids and adults–snore from time to time. However, snoring associated with sleep apnea occurs more often with men over the age of 40. So, aging and gender do factor into this sleep disorder. Obesity and large neck circumference play roles, too, as do smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.
What Should You Do?
If you snore loudly and persistently, don’t ignore it. Speak with your primary care doctor. He or she may refer you to a sleep physician who can pinpoint reasons for your snoring with in-home or in-office sleep studies.
Your physician may tell you to consult Dr. Christina Papageorgiou for additional testing or fitting with an oral appliance. Oral appliance therapy successfully opens the airway and keeps it open for many individuals suffering with Obstructive Sleep Apnea. These customized acrylic devices are worn throughout the night every night. They gently position the lower jaw in a more forward position, keeping the airway open.
Some sleep physicians use oral appliance therapy instead of, or in combination with, CPAP–Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. This bedside apparatus delivers a steady flow of oxygen to the individual via nasal mask. The airflow forces the back of the throat open and keeps it open. Some individuals find CPAP difficult to tolerate, and so, they may replace it or modify it with oral appliance therapy.
Sleep Better and Feel Better
Stop snoring in Natick. Contact Papageorgiou Dental Associates to arrange a sleep dentistry consultation with one of our dentists. She will put you on the right road to correct diagnosis and treatment of your snoring so you sleep peacefully and awaken refreshed and healthy.