Sleep is one of the most significant aspects for good health. Without it, your mind and body will not receive the rest they need to heal and refresh. Regrettably, there are numerous issues that can prevent you from achieving this rest, some of which you may not even realize are a problem until sleep deprivation manifests itself in your daily life. To help stay cautious about maintaining your body’s natural rhythms, Pasadena Texas Dentist, Dr. Nugent, explores the a very common sleep problem that is plaguing America— sleep apnea.
The Anatomy of Sleep Apnea
When you sleep, your oral and throat tissues relax and can partially block your airway. Typically, this obstruction is minimal and does not affect your nighttime breathing. The obstruction can be enough to cause vibrations as air squeezes past the tightly compacted tissues, causing the familiar sound you know as snoring. In some cases, however, the muscles and tissues in your mouth and throat can collapse enough to completely block the airway. This stops breathing. Lack of oxygen is one of your body’s most alarming signals. With a lack of oxygen, your brain will wake your body enough to restart the breathing process. Sleep apnea patients are not usually aware of these episodes, but their sleeping partners will notice patterns of extremely loud snoring, followed by a moment or two of silence, and then a gasp as the body regains its breath.
The Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
Sleep Apnea episodes can repeat hundreds of times a night, depriving your body and mind of much needed deep sleep. While patients are not aware of the episodes themselves, patients can be more aware of the symptoms of sleep deprivation that can result from it, including (but not limited to);
- Excessive daytime drowsiness
- Unrefreshing Sleep
- Poor memory, clouded intellect
- Awaking with a dry mouth, or a sore throat
- Frequent and/or severe headaches
- Difficulty concentrating/paying attention
- Noticeably increased irritability
Treat Sleep Apnea with Help from Your Pasadena Dentist
If you experience these or other symptoms of sleep deprivation, or if your partner complains that your snoring is unacceptable, contact Dr. Dr. Nugent today to determine if you have sleep apnea. You can schedule a consultation in Pasadena by calling Dr. Nugent at 713-941-8261. Located in the 77504 area, we proudly serve families from Pasadena, Deer Park, and the surrounding communities. Our office is located at 3421 Burke Rd Ste A, Pasadena, Texas 77504.