How Sleep Apnea Hurts Your Health
Chronic obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a serious disorder that causes your breathing to repeatedly stop during sleep. As a result, this can cause you to suddenly wake up multiple times throughout the night, impacting your body’s ability to recharge itself. If left untreated, sleep apnea or sleep-disordered breathing can lead to numerous health conditions.
That’s why Dr. Grivas offers effective treatment solutions to get your sleep apnea symptoms under control and give you the quality rest you deserve. With customized Vivos oral appliances, your symptoms can be drastically reduced or eliminated altogether with this simple process. To learn more about our treatment methods, it’s important to seek a proper diagnosis for obstructive sleep apnea by undergoing a sleep study.
By getting the treatment you need, your body and mind will be able to be at peak performance once again. Not only that, but you’ll see dramatic changes in your health that’ll help to boost the overall quality of your day-to-day life.
The Different Types of Sleep Apnea
There are three different types of sleep apnea that can impact your sleep and cause you symptoms. Part of undergoing effective treatment is first establishing which form of the disorder that’s impacting your sleep which is why sleep studies are so important. The different types include:
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): The most common form of sleep apnea and occurs when the back of your airway relaxes, causing the tissues to form an obstruction.
- Central Sleep Apnea (CSA): Occurs when your brain doesn’t properly send the neurological signals to the muscles that directly control your breathing during sleep.
- Mixed Sleep Apnea: This condition is a combination of both OSA and CSA.
Sleep Apnea Symptoms
Knowing the signs of sleep apnea can help you get the treatment you need. If you feel your sleep issues may be a sign of sleep apnea, it’s important to know the symptoms. Sleep apnea is known to cause loud snoring and gasping for air, but you should look out for:
- Waking up with a sore or dry throat
- Lack of energy and difficulty concentrating
- Mood changes and irritability
- Morning headaches
- Frequent nighttime urination
- Decreased libido
The Risk Factors of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea can occur in anyone at any age. Although uncommon in younger patients, there are certain factors that can increase one’s chance of developing the disorder such as:
- Obesity
- Large neck circumference
- Having a narrow airway
- Family history of sleep apnea
- Overuse of alcohol and tobacco
- Certain medical conditions
- Nasal congestion
Not Treating Sleep Apnea
Ignoring your sleep apnea or delaying treatment can be detrimental to your overall health. Nearly 80 percent of patients with OSA often go undiagnosed, leading to major health risks or sometimes the loss of life. Serious health complications include:
- Heart attack
- High blood pressure
- Chronic Pain
- Irregular heartbeat
- Type 3 diabetes
- Depression
- Liver problems
Don’t let sleep apnea go untreated any longer. Contact Dr. Grivas at Sac Sleep & Breathing to receive a proper diagnosis through one of our convenient take-home sleep tests.
Vivos Can Improve Your Health
You shouldn’t have to deal with your sleep apnea any longer. At Sac Sleep & Breathing, Dr. Grivas and our team offer Vivos to reclaim your sleep while restoring your daytime energy and function. Vivos oral appliances are custom-made for your teeth, ensuring your night guard fits with maximum comfort and is effective in treating your sleep apnea symptoms.
Our custom-made oral appliances work by gently shifting your jaw forward during the day, opening up your airway and allowing you to breathe easily at night. Unlike traditional methods of treating sleep apnea, such as CPAP, oral appliances are non-intrusive and don’t generate any sort of noise. Best of all, you won’t have to worry about wearing a large mask or carrying a bulky machine right before your bedtime.
It’s recommended that you wear your Vivos oral appliance 10 to 12 hours per day. This revolutionary system is a non-invasive, non-surgical alternative to treating sleep apnea that’s completely safe, painless, and all-natural to your body.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can sleep apnea go away on its own?
Sleep apnea can’t go away on its own unless you receive proper treatment. Without any professional assistance from Dr. Grivas, the symptoms and consequences of sleep apnea can drastically worsen over time. We recommend scheduling a consultation at our Sacramento office for an evaluation as soon as possible to determine necessary treatment.
What are the consequences of untreated sleep apnea?
Untreated sleep apnea can affect your health in many ways. For example, when your sleep pattern is constantly interrupted, you can begin to experience mood swings, have difficulty with concentrating, and gain weight. While the immediate effects of sleep apnea may seem surface-level, over time this can lead to conditions like heart disease and high blood pressure.
Who’s more at risk for sleep apnea?
The majority of people who suffer from sleep apnea are middle-aged to older adults. People who are overweight, smoke and drink in excess, or have sleep apnea in their families are also at risk for developing the disorder themselves. However, sleep apnea can affect people of any age and lifestyle, and if you exhibit symptoms, you should seek a consultation with an experienced professional like Dr. Grivas.
The Results of Treating Sleep Apnea Is Night & Day
If you or someone you love is dealing with sleep apnea, you’ve likely experienced the impact it can have on your life. Don’t let sleep apnea have control over your mood, behaviors, vitality, or energy levels any longer. With Dr. Grivas, you’ll experience patient-centered care and find the effective solution you’ve been looking for.
Contact our Sacramento office to learn more by calling (916) 735-4060. You can also schedule an appointment by filling out our online contact form below so that we can get back to you as soon as possible. We also treat patients who reside in the nearby Sierra Oaks, Woodside Condo, and Campus Commons area.