Does your spouse complain about your irregular snoring? Do you often wake up in the middle of the night feeling out of breath?
You may have sleep apnea. You may have also been diagnosed with sleep apnea, but never asked more questions beyond what your doctor tells you. As a patient, you should be taking care of your health, and the first major hurdle to doing so is knowing whether or not your health is affected.
Is My Health Affected by My Sleep Apnea?
Simple answer: Yes, if left untreated. Untreated, sleep apnea can cause a multitude of problems like:
- Depression
- Memory Loss
- Acid Reflux
- Asthma
- Foggy or Unclear Thoughts
- High Blood Pressure
- Liver Problems
- Abnormal Cholesterol
- Fatigue
- Irregular Oxygen Levels
- Breathing Difficulty
- Strokes
- Irregular Heart Rhythm
- Heart Failure
- Diabetes
- Decreased Sexual Libido
In addition, while women with sleep apnea didn’t report sexual dysfunction per se, treating their sleep apnea improved the quality of their sex life.
What Can I Do to Prevent Compromising My Health?
Sleep apnea is treatable, but it is difficult to know if you actually have it. The best way to know one way or the other, is to undergo a sleep test. From there, a sleep physician can recommend the best treatment for your body.
How Does Sleep Apnea and Dentistry Relate?
While you may not think of dentistry in conjunction with sleep apnea, it would surprise you with how many patients come in talking about how their spouse seems to stop breathing in the middle of the night or how they aren’t feeling well rested. While not all sleeping disorders are specifically sleep apnea, dentistry, in conjunction with a sleep physician, can help to ensure that you get the best night’s sleep possible.
Where Can I Get Help for My Sleep Apnea?
If you are in the St. Louis, MO area and think that you have sleep apnea, the first step is to have sleep dentist Dr. Chris Hill and his team evaluate your airways. If Dr. Hill determines that you may suffer from sleep apnea, he will refer you to a reputable St. Louis sleep lab for a complete analysis and diagnosis.
Contact Dr. Hill at City Smiles in downtown St. Louis at (314) 678-7876 for a consultation today. So, don’t wait! It’s just another one of the many ways the City Smiles St. Louis team can help your smile.
