Sleep Assessment
You shouldn’t underestimate the importance of a good night’s rest. Sleep helps your brain function correctly and allows you to maintain your psychological and physical health. If you’re tossing and turning at night, inadequate sleep can put you at risk of several health problems. With the necessity of quality sleep often overlooked, The National Sleep Foundation launched Sleep Awareness Week in 1998. The annual event strives to remind Americans of the benefits of getting 7-9 hours of rest nightly, especially if you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea.
Sleep Apnea and Poor Sleep Quality
According to the National Sleep Foundation, nearly half of Americans report poor or insufficient sleep at least once a week that affects their daily activities. Staying up too late or insomnia are common culprits of daytime fatigue, but it can also be a symptom of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition that causes frequent breathing disruptions caused by an obstruction in the upper airway. The soft tissues in the back of the mouth or tongue can collapse to block the airway. This can cause you to stop breathing potentially hundreds of times per night, with each event lasting for a minute or longer.
Not only is your body deprived of oxygen, but each event also interrupts your sleep cycle. Your brain jolts you awake to resume normal breathing, although you may not be aware of the brief awakenings.
Over time, you can become sleep-deprived, which can affect your mental health. Besides depression, mood changes, and anxiety, you can experience memory loss, cognitive decline, and many other complications. If you get behind the wheel when you’re sleep-deprived, you are more likely to be in a deadly auto accident. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drowsy driving is responsible for 100,000 car crashes, 1,5550 of which are fatal.
Fatigue isn’t the only complication of untreated sleep apnea. Oxygen deprivation can affect your health, increasing your risk of several potentially deadly issues, including heart disease and diabetes.
Treating Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Thankfully, it’s easy to get quality sleep by treating OSA. Although a CPAP machine is the most traditional treatment, many patients prefer an oral appliance. The custom-fit appliance trains your jaw to rest in a more comfortable position to prevent your soft tissues from creating an obstruction. It’s a comfortable and effective solution.
Besides complying with your sleep apnea treatment, shut off screens before going to bed and create a calming environment. With good sleep habits and your oral appliance, you can wake up feeling alert and ready to start your day.
About Dr. Michael E. Michel
Dr. Michel earned his dental degree at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry and has continued his education in various specialties, including TMJ dysfunction, snoring, and sleep apnea. He offers the latest solutions to treat sleep apnea. Request an appointment through his website or call his office at (785) 503-3162.