What Is That Noise? Could Be A Sign of Sleep Apnea

stephenlega • October 1, 2018

She paused the show she’d been binge-watching to listen. She heard the sounds coming from the bedroom.

“ What could that be?” she thought. “Is there a monster in there?”

The sounds stopped for about minute, then started again. The pattern repeated itself several times before she started slowly walking closer.

At the door, she braced herself although she had some idea what to expect.

Yep, it was her husband, snoring so loud that it would be impossible to get any sleep in there. On another night, she would have kicked him out of bed. Tonight, she decided to head to the guest bedroom instead.

That spooky snoring could be a clear symptom of untreated sleep apnea . It affects millions of Americans, including many people in and around Columbia, SC.

Save yourself from this scary situation. Visit Dr. Doug Forbes and our team at Total Dental Care. Call  803-272-4162  for an appointment.

OSA Can Be Scary

We don’t want you to be afraid. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is treatable … but letting it go untreated can lead to a number of other problems. This includes an increased risk of:

  • Cardiovascular disease
  • High blood pressure
  • Heart attacks
  • Strokes
  • Car accidents

Knowing this, why would someone not treat this sleep disorder. The most common reason is they may not be aware that they have it. According to the Sleep Apnea Association , as many as 80 percent of cases of moderate to severe sleep apnea remain undiagnosed. Without a sleep test, you may not know that you (or someone you care about) should be treated.

Getting Treated

The second reason people don’t get treated for sleep apnea is often the treatment itself. Many people are given CPAP (or similar PAP) machines to help with their condition.

When used correctly, CPAPs can be incredibly effective. The problem is often using them correctly and consistently. Unfortunately, many people having difficulty sleeping while wearing a mask or having air pushed down their airways.

At Total Dental Care, we offer another treatment option. Dr. Forbes can design an oral appliance for you. This appliance shifts the position of your lower jaw forward slightly. This allows the person suffering from OSA to keep breathing and snore less, so everyone can sleep a little easier.

Know the Symptoms

Snoring is the most obvious sign of sleep apnea, although many people snore who do not have OSA. Knowing this, it’s important to be aware of other symptoms of this sleep disorder:

  • Morning headaches
  • Waking up with a dry mouth
  • Trouble concentrating on a task or chore
  • Becoming easily irritated or annoyed
  • Still feeling tired when you wake up
  • Frequent daytime sleepiness

If you have one or more of these symptoms along with snoring, please take time to find out if you have OSA. Dr. Forbes can help you get tested if needed, which can get you closer to treating your condition.

To set a visit to our Columbia, SC dental office, start by contacting us online or by calling 803-272-4162.

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