At sleep, your body naturally relaxes, and your airways stay open. However, during an apnea episode, your airways likely collapse, leading to constricted breathing which may interfere with your sleep. You may wake up suddenly, gasping and choking. Such are the initial symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea, which may be life-threatening if not addressed soon enough. Therefore, sleep apnea Commack treatments should be what you seek as soon as you notice the above symptoms. Obstructive sleep apnea interferes with your sleep and quality of life, which is why you should seek treatment.
When Do You Need To See A Doctor?
You will likely develop signs and symptoms that include excessive sleep during the day, loud snores, breathing pauses during sleep, and difficulty focusing, among other symptoms. You may also suddenly wake up and experience choking, a sore throat, and a dry mouth. Snoring may not be a serious issue because you may not have obstructive sleep apnea if you snore. However, loud snores that increase when you lie on your back may indicate obstructive sleep apnea. Therefore, see your doctor if the above symptoms are present for you.
Are There Risk Factors for Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
You can develop this condition at any stage, but some factors increase your risk. First, being overweight can put you at the forefront of obstructive sleep apnea because fatty deposits may block your breathing. However, you may not necessarily be overweight if you have obstructive sleep apnea. Secondly, if you easily have nasal congestion that persists every night because of narrowed airways, you will likely develop this condition. Coming from a family with obstructive sleep apnea may also put you at risk for developing obstructive sleep apnea. Thirdly, lifestyle factors like smoking and having diabetes may put you at risk. Additionally, if you are asthmatic, you may likely develop this condition because of a constricted airway that interferes with your breathing.
What Are The Complications of This Condition?
After developing obstructive sleep apnea, you may likely experience complications. First, you may experience daytime fatigue, drowsiness, and irritability because you lack peaceful sleep at night. You may find focusing and concentrating more difficult as you will fall asleep while driving, increasing your risk for accidents. Secondly, obstructive sleep apnea may cause a sudden decrease in oxygen levels in your blood which causes a strain on your cardiovascular system. The strain may increase your risk for heart conditions, including heart attacks, failure, and strokes. You may also have arrhythmias, and continued episodes may cause sudden death. Lastly, having obstructive sleep apnea may lead to complications during surgery. During surgery, your doctor may administer anesthesia and sedatives to help you relax, but they worsen your obstructive sleep apnea symptoms.
Sleep apnea can worsen over time if left untreated, and you can only get well by visiting Chase Dental Sleepcare. You will find a medical team that will readily evaluate you through different screening tests before deciding the right course of treatment. You can also decide to visit the website and book an online appointment.