Sleep apnea is much more common than people think. Millions of Americans have undiagnosed sleep apnea and can’t figure out why they don’t feel rested in the morning. Ask yourself these questions:
- Do you experience chronic fatigue or feel sleepy during the day?
- Do you nod off at inappropriate times?
- Do you snore?
- Are your tonsils, tongue or throat tissues enlarged?
- Do you carry too much weight?
- Are you a male over 40 years of age?
- Do you drool at night, or sleep restlessly?
If you answered yes to many, if not all, of these questions, you may have obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA). OSA is a life threatening disorder that can cause or worsen other health issues, such as hypertension or diabetes. As dangerous as OSA is, treatment options for sleep apnea may be simpler than you may expect.
For people with enlarged tissues in the throat, treatment for sleep apnea may involve surgical reduction of the tissues. Your symptoms may just require wearing a simple appliance that you attach to your upper and lower teeth, holding your lower jaw a bit forward. This positioning opens your airway and prevents obstruction due to muscle relaxation.
For more information about treatment for sleep apnea by experienced dentists in Northern Virginia, please contact Galleria Dental Aesthetics for a personal evaluation in Tysons Corner or Alexandria, Virginia.