Are You Suffering from Sleep Apnea?
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The concern could first be raised by a bed partner who reports the other to have breathing problemsduring sleep. The patient's companion informs that the patient regularly stops and starts breathingduring the night and this can range from a few seconds to several minutes.An important complaint made by the partner is the unusual snoring which could be a sign of anobstruction in the airway or an enlargement of the tissue in this region. People frequentlyseek help because their bed partner is afraid of the silence between snores and not the snoring itself.Snoring is most likely not a symptom of a health problem if it just occurs sometimes. But thelikelihood is much greater if the snoring is louder creating “ear-rattling” noises.

It is also alarming but not surprising that 75% of sleep apnea patients are undiagnosed as symptoms could be very subtle. You can have these symptoms and still may not have sleep apnea or you might have sleep apnea even without these symptoms. Sleep apnea can manifest itself in different ways and millions of people aren’t aware of it as it occurs during a state of unconsciousness. But some of the hallmarks of sleep apnea are easy to spot.

A quick test created by the American Sleep Apnea Association can provide you with some information indicating you have this condition if you answer “yes” to any of these:
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• Are you a loud or regular snorer?
• Have you ever been observed to gasp or stop breathing during sleep?
• Do you feel tired or groggy when you wake up?
• Do you wake up with a headache?
• Are you often tired during the day?
• Do you fall asleep while sitting, reading, watching television or driving?
• Do you often have problems concentrating or remembering things?

‍... Consequences of Sleep Apnea
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After a disturbed sleep, many symptoms appear the next morning. These include a headache or dry mouth that may result due to breathing through the mouth rather than the nose. Those with sleep apnea frequently don't get deep nourishing sleep. Most individuals feel sleepy or even find it difficult to concentrate the next morning. Although many people claim they are not sleepy during the day, the amount of coffee they consume is substantial and they frequently become agitated as the day goes on.

...What More Can Sleep Deprivation Due to Sleep Apnea Cause
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People with sleep apnea have much less ability to learn. Problems with attention, alertness, concentration, thinking, and problem-solving are all directly related to sleep deprivation. It's not all that surprising that obstructive sleep apnea and driving accidents correlate; among the independent predictors of higher crash risk in those with sleep apnea are excessive daytime sleepiness and short sleep duration.
testosterone levels Patients can also have their judgement impaired which can create a vicious loop where the person becomes ignorant of the harm caused by sleep deprivaton and fails to recognize that sleep deprivation is a major contributor to many of the issues the individual faces.

What is more intimidating is that Sleep deprivation can also reduce sex desire. Lower testosterone levels in men have been associated with sleep apnea. Studies have demonstrated that a lack of sleep has a negative impact on one's libido or sex desire resulting in problems with marriage. Moreover, clinically depressed or anxious individuals were more likely to report getting less than six hours of sleep each night further highlighting the relationship between depression and sleep apnea.


‍Why Can Sleep Apnea Be Incredibly Dangerous

Although sleep apnea may not seem serious at first, it can possess a serious threat to people who experience it. This illness is connected to major health problems, according to numerous research. Diabetes, heart attacks, and strokes are a few of these issues. A well-known relationship occurs between Obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension. According to experts, the relationship is reciprocal: You are more likely to develop high blood pressure if you have sleep apnea, and high blood pressure exacerbates the condition. It's a risky cycle. Because of how closely related the two are, there is a good likelihood that if you have hypertension, you also have sleep apnea.
You are also more likely to face an early death if breathing is more difficult and your brain experiences prolonged oxygen deprivation. Memory loss is another effect of oxygen deprivation in the brain. If you're worried you might have this illness, you should be diagnosed right away as it can lead to early-onset Alzheimer's and dementia.

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‍Who Is At More Risk To Develop Sleep Apnea?

All ages, genders, and races are susceptible to sleep apnea and other sleeping breathing disorders. However, the prevalence of sleep apnea in men is twice that of women, especially in their 60s and 70s. A very strong correlation exists between obesity and sleep apnea making the condition more preventable in those with increased BMIs. Patients at high risk also include those with large necks - a neck circumference that is larger than 16 inches for women or more than 17 inches for men predisposes them to this condition. This could also explain why a family history of sleep apnea is also an important factor in defining physical traits.
According to certain studies, smokers have a considerably increased chance of developing obstructive sleep apnea than those who have never smoked or quit.


‍How Can Your Dentist Detect Sleep Apnea

Even while the relationship between dental health and sleep apnea isn't fully known, we do know that the soft tissues of the mouth are a common site for the condition. Because of this, your dentist or oral hygienist can be your first port of call for a sleep apnea diagnosis. X-rays of the patient's mouth and neck can pave way for a diagnosis. With our algorithms, your dentist can uncover hidden morphological and structural changes found in the imaging. These images might show excessively big throat issues or another type of airway obstruction.
Sleep apnea can have an impact on all aspects of your life, including your everyday functioning and the risk of developing chronic diseases. This could be prevented by visiting your dentist right away if you think you may have sleep apnea as they are an integral part of the whole process.