Snoring is a common problem, but other than disturbing those around you, the noisy habit is typically dismissed as little more than annoying. Sometimes, however, excessive snoring can be indicative of a sleep disorder known as obstructive sleep apnea, which can deprive you of rest even though it doesn’t fully wake you up. Today, we explore the problem of sleep apnea, and how you can detect it even if no one is around to complain.
Understanding Sleep Apnea
Have you ever wondered why you snore? When you sleep, the tissues in your mouth and throat relax and compress together. As air struggles to flow through a smaller airway, the tissues vibrate, creating the noise known as snoring. Obstructive sleep apnea describes a condition where these tissues compress tightly enough to completely obstruct your airway, forcing you to stop breathing. Lack of oxygen forces your brain to panic and wake your body enough to start breathing again, though typically apnic episodes don’t fully rouse the patient from consciousness. Nevertheless, they can occur hundreds of times a night, and when left untreated, can deprive your mind of the rest it needs to replenish its energy.
In Case You Sleep Alone
While sleep apnea can result in exceptionally loud snoring, detecting it may not be as easy without a sleeping partner to complain of the noise. Eventually, the lack of sleep can manifest itself in your daily life, which can be confusing when you believe that you’re getting a full night’s rest. Daytime fatigue, inability to concentrate, and unusual irritability are just a few of the symptoms of sleep deprivation that can warn you of the possibility of obstructive sleep apnea.
ABOUT YOUR CERRITOS, CA, ORAL SURGEON:
Dr. Shawn Hofkes and the staff at Cerritos Dental Surgery are highly qualified to address complex issues, including those that require oral surgery to correct. To schedule an appointment or consultation with Dr. Hofkes, contact us today by calling 562-584-4082. We proudly serve patients of all ages from Cerritos, Lakewood, Long Beach, Buena Park, and all surrounding communities.
