Sleep apnea is a chronic sleep disorder that increases your chances of heart disease and stroke. It causes pauses in your breathing while you sleep. When that happens, your brain is torn between breathing and sleeping. If you believe you suffer from this condition, here are a few things you’ll want to know before you book an appointment with a dentist in Mississauga for sleep apnea assessment.
There’s more than one type
About 25 million U.S. adults suffer from the obstructive type of this sleep disorder, the American Sleep Association reports. This is the most common type of SA. It happens when muscles in the throat are blocked when the person sleeps. Central SA, on the other hand, happens as a result of a disconnect between your brain and muscles. That means your brain fails to send the correct signals to the muscles that control your breathing. In some cases, both of these types could happen at the same time. That condition is referred to by experts as complex SA.
Obese people are more at risk
There are plenty of conditions that could trigger this condition such as heart disorders and the use of medications like opioids. However, studies show that this condition often affects people who are overweight and obese, with the extra tissue around the mouth and throat area blocking the airway when they sleep. Losing weight can ease symptoms.
Snoring is a symptom
Loud snoring is the most well-known indicator of the condition. However, it’s not the only one. Fatigue even after going to bed early, morning headaches, mood swings, irritability, and trouble concentrating can all be possible signs. The best way to learn if this condition affects you, is to book an appointment with a dentist at Credit River Dental Centre in Mississauga and consult about sleep apnea. The sooner you know, the sooner you can receive proper treatment.
