Tossing and turning at night can leave you feeling exhausted the next day. While a cup of coffee or a quick catnap is all you need to make it through the day, your sleep debt will catch up to you, eventually. Consistent quality sleep is vital to your overall health and wellness, which is why the National Sleep Foundation has announced March 13-19 as Sleep Awareness Week. If you’re constantly battling fatigue, it may not be from stress or a bad mattress. It can be a sign you need sleep apnea treatment right away.
Promoting the Importance of Quality Sleep
The average adult requires 7 to 9 hours of sleep nightly; however, the National Institutes of Health reports up to 19% don’t sleep enough. Sleeping is an essential function that allows your mind and body to recharge. It helps your body function properly to prevent many diseases, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity. Not to mention, your brain can’t function correctly without adequate rest.
Although it’s normal to have a bad night occasionally, ongoing fatigue can be a sign of a serious underlying problem, like obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Lack of quality sleep isn’t the only concern. Without any treatment, sleep apnea can have life-threatening complications.
Risks of Obstructive Sleep Apnea
22 million Americans are diagnosed with OSA, but up to 80% of people aren’t aware they have the disorder. Although there are 3 types of the condition, obstructive sleep apnea is the most prevalent. It is categorized as a sleep-related disorder that causes frequent pauses in breathing from an obstruction in the upper airway created by the soft tissues in the back of the mouth. As your muscles relax while drifting off to sleep, they can obstruct airflow, causing an interruption in your breathing. Each pause depletes your body of oxygen. Over time, it can affect your health, increasing your risk of various medical conditions, like cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Your mental health can also decline.
When your oxygen level drops, your brain will jolt you awake to inhale. You may wake up choking or gasping for air, or you may not even notice the brief awakenings. However, each event interrupts your sleep cycle and quality. Eventually, sleep deprivation can occur, which can affect your mental health. You can even have an increased risk of workplace and auto accidents.
Sleep Soundly Tonight
If you have persistent fatigue, along with chronic snoring or morning headaches, it’s time to see if sleep apnea is the culprit. Your dentist can provide you with the oral appliance you need to breathe easier and sleep soundly.
About Dr. Dean Hutto
Dr. Hutto earned his dental degree from the University of Texas School in Houston before continuing his education at many prestigious institutes, including Spear, the Dawson Institute for Learning, and Misch International Implant Institute. He also specializes in sleep apnea. Dr. Hutto is a member of various professional organizations because of his commitment to sleep dentistry, including the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine. Contact our office today to request your consultation for sleep apnea therapy.