Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

One of the most common symptoms is snoring. About three-quarters of sleep apnea sufferers snore. However, just because you snore occasionally doesn’t mean you have sleep apnea. Below are other common symptoms to watch out for.

  • Waking up with a dry or sore throat
  • Loud snoring
  • Waking up with a gasping or choking sensation
  • Lack of energy or sleepiness throughout the day
  • Sleepiness while driving
  • Morning headaches
  • Restless sleep
  • Forgetfulness
  • Irritability
  • Mood changes
  • Insomnia or recurrent awakenings

If you suffer from any of the above symptoms, it’s a good idea to visit a physician to take a sleep test. Your physician will diagnose you and then you can visit Smile On Dental Studio for your sleep apnea treatment.

Problems Caused by Sleep Apnea

Man well rested after sleep apnea treatment

When you have sleep apnea, it actually causes other problems in your body.  The cause is usually blocked airways. Oftentimes the position of the tongue, shape, and size of the airways, or swelling of those passageways are to blame. When sleep is disrupted, it can have major effects on overall health. Most people who suffer from sleep apnea think they are asleep when in reality their body is struggling for air. As a result, they never achieve a restful and deep sleep leaving them feeling tired throughout the day. Without treatment, those with sleep apnea put themselves at risk for other health complications such as:

  • High blood pressure
  • Abnormal heart rhythms
  • Heart attack
  • Stroke
  • Diabetes
  • Depression
  • Inability to concentrate
  • Uncontrolled weight gain
  • Cancer
  • Dementia

People with sleep apnea are more likely to die young, usually because of heart complications.

Sleep Apnea Treatment in St. Louis

If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, our team at Smile On Dental Studio is here to help. Once your physician gives you an official diagnosis, schedule an appointment with us. If you haven’t been diagnosed yet, Dr. Chris Hill is happy to evaluate your airways and refer you to a St. Louis sleep lab for a complete analysis and diagnosis. The sleep test will determine if sleep apnea is actually the cause of your snoring.

Although CPAP is a popular treatment, it’s uncomfortable and inconvenient, resulting in a low user rate. The best treatment for you is one that you will actually use. In order to encourage patients to get a better night of rest, we offer oral appliances as an alternative to CPAP. Dr. Chris Hill will custom-fit an oral appliance for you. The oral appliance feels like a retainer and works by repositioning the jaw and tongue to open the airways. Wearing this alleviates symptoms and gives you a full night of deep rest.

You’ll find that wearing an oral appliance is comfortable and convenient. You don’t have to worry about wearing a bulky mask over your face or interrupting your partner at night. Oral appliances are easy to use and effective treatment.

Schedule an appointment with our dentist at (314) 678-7876 for a consultation today.

Stop waking up feeling exhausted and seek treatment for your snoring at Smile On Dental Studio in Richmond Heights, MO. Our dentist, Dr. Chris Hill can provide you with an oral appliance to treat your sleep apnea and stop you from snoring for life.