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Loud snoring may seem more like a nuisance rather than a health concern. However, frequent, loud snoring may be a sign of sleep apnea, a common and potentially serious disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts as you sleep. When you snore in your sleep, it means that your lungs are not getting as much oxygen as they need. When breathing becomes partially or completely obstructed, a potentially life-threatening condition known as sleep apnea is present. The next time you are told you snore, don't get embarrassed, simply talk to your dentist about an evaluation for sleep apnea. Although sleep apnea is treatable, it often goes unrecognized or misdiagnosed. Untreated sleep apnea can be dangerous to your health, so it's important to see a physician or dentist who specializes in sleep apnea if you suspect that you or a loved one might have it. Sleep easy tonight with help from your dentist in South Elgin, IL. Understanding Sleep Apnea Sleep apnea is a common disorder that occurs during sleep in which you have one or more pauses in breathing (apnea). Breathing pauses can last from a few seconds to minutes, often times occurring several times during the night. Because sleep apnea is typically a chronic condition, sufferers often experience excessive daytime tiredness and an inability to properly concentrate. Other members of the household may also experience daytime drowsiness as a result of the sufferer's frequent tossing and turning through the night. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type of sleep apnea. It occurs when the soft tissue in the back of the throat relaxes during sleep, causing a blockage of the airway and often results in loud snoring. The most common signs of sleep apnea include:
* Loud, habitual snoring
* Long pauses in breathing during sleep
* Gasping for air during sleep
* Excessive drowsiness during the day as a result of a poor night's sleep
* Morning headaches
* Difficult concentrating throughout the day
* Personality and behavior changes Treatment: Your South Elgin Dentist Can Help Sleep apnea is a potentially serious disorder. If you recognize symptoms of sleep apnea, seek the advice of a physician or dentist right away. Many sufferers of sleep apnea are finding great success with dental devices. Much like an athletic mouthguard, oral appliances for snoring and sleep apnea are worn at night to help open your airway by bringing your lower jaw or your tongue forward during sleep. Snoring does not always indicate that you have sleep apnea, but it is often one of the first symptoms. Visit your sleep apnea dentist in Elgin whenever you have a question or concern related to snoring or sleep apnea. Treatment is available so that you can regain your sleep and an improved quality of life.
Brar Dentistry is owned and operated by Dr. Rick Brar, South Elgin, IL dentist. Working alongside Dr. Brar are Drs. Thomas Adams, and Russel Verbic. Together they bring quality dental health care to patients of all ages including root canals, sleep apnea, dental implants, and orthodontics in South Elgin.
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