Do you or your partner snore at night? Are you overly tired when you wake up in the morning? You may have obstructive sleep apnea, one of the most common forms of sleep apnea. This health concern is caused by the soft tissues in the back of the mouth obstructing the airway. Continual obstruction of the airway leads to heart problems and high blood pressure. Dr. Jacob McLauchlin treats sleep apnea in Nixa, MO using oral appliance therapy.
Sleep Apnea FAQs
Many patients who have sleep apnea or are concerned that they may have sleep apnea have questions. You may read the answers to frequently asked questions about sleep apnea below:
How do I know if I have sleep apnea?
There are multiple risk factors for sleep apnea. Patients who are overweight, male, or over 40 are more likely to suffer from sleep apnea. Smokers and diabetics are also prone to developing sleep apnea.
Common symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea include:
- Loud snoring
- Insomnia
- Morning headaches
- Dry mouth
- Gasping during sleep
- Breathing through the mouth
How many apneas can occur at night?
Patients can experience sleep apnea several times to even hundreds of times per night. If patients have more than 30 episodes of apnea per hour, they have severe sleep apnea. We offer oral appliances for patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea. If you have severe sleep apnea, we will refer you to a specialist.
Can sleep apnea affect your heart?
Yes, when you stop breathing, your heart stops receiving oxygen. A continual lack of oxygen affects the health of the heart. Many patients who have sleep apnea also may develop heart disease. Sleep apnea patients are also more at risk of experiencing strokes or heart attacks. Please let us know if you have any symptoms of sleep apnea so we can prevent these heart problems from developing.
Contact Mac Dental Today
Do you or a loved one need sleep apnea treatment? Request a sleep apnea consultation with Dr. McLauchlin on our website or call 417.202.0932. Please let Dr. McLauchlin know if you have any questions or concerns and he will be happy to help you.