Dental sleep medicine could be what you need. Falling asleep because you’re tired isn’t unusual. However, if you find yourself falling asleep at the oddest times, including behind the wheel, it’s time to find out what is really going on.
According to dental sleep medicine provider Dr. Janette Larsen, sleep related breathing disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea can make you tired all of the time.
OSA a Dangerous Sleep Disorder
Obstructive Sleep Apnea, also known as OSA, makes you cranky and can even affect your daily life. But that’s not all. Your dental sleep medicine doctor in San Diego also explains that OSA can be deadly if left untreated.
If you:
- Are tired all the time
- Have a lack of libido
- Wake with dry mouth
- Can’t sleep
- Have mood swings
- Snore all the time
- Wake up gasping for breath
- Have morning headaches
- Fall asleep during waking hours
- Wake up at night gasping for breath
- Have witnessed breathing cessations
- Suffer from memory loss
- Grind your teeth
You must consider an appointment for a sleep study with your primary care physician.
It’s important to note that people of all ages are affected by sleeping problems, including obstructive sleep apnea. However, it is a bigger risk for some.
Xceptional Dental explains that people at risk include men, women in menopause and people who still have tonsils and adenoids. OSA is especially common in children with adenoids and tonsils.
People who have a large neck and those who carry too much weight are also in the high risk category for obstructive sleep apnea.
If you are middle aged or suffer from a heart condition you could also have obstructive sleep apnea.
People who are habitual narcotics abusers and those who drink and smoke on a regular basis are also in the high risk category.
As you can see, there are a number of things that can cause you to wake up during the night because you can’t breathe.
OSA and Breathing Disorders Help and Dental Sleep Medicine
If you follow the Xceptional Dental Blog you’ll know that the most common treatment is CPAP therapy. However, if you suffer from mild to moderate OSA or have a mild sleep disorder, oral appliance therapy could be the solution.
Sleep apnea patients and those who have trouble sleeping because of snoring or grinding should call Xceptional Dental. If left untreated, OSA and other sleep disorders could turn deadly, especially if you or someone you know should fall asleep at the wheel.
Dental Sleep Medicine in San Diego
For the best dental sleep medicine doctor in San Diego, you can’t go past Xceptional Dental. Call or send a text and schedule an appointment today.