Sleep Apnea Is a Drag; Does It Ever Go Away?

Sleep apnea is a frustrating chronic health condition that can interrupt sleep more than a hundred times in a single night in severe cases. The illness is characterized by the muscle and fat tissues in the neck weighing heavily upon the windpipe when they relax during sleep, which cuts off the sleeper’s airflow and causes them to wake up suddenly and out of breath. There’s a quick look at risk factors for sleep apnea, how the condition can sometimes be resolved, and how your dentist can help you find an effective treatment for it.

What Are a Few Risk Factors for Sleep Apnea?

It’s estimated that about 30 million Americans live with sleep apnea, and a few significant risk factors for it include:

• A family history of sleep apnea.
• Being male.
• Snoring: This noisy habit doesn’t necessarily mean you have sleep apnea, but it is associated with the condition.
• Being overweight: Having more tissue in the neck can make it easier for the windpipe to become constricted during sleep.
• Alcohol use: Alcohol is a muscle relaxant that may make it easier for the tissues on the neck to press on the windpipe during sleep.
• Tobacco use: Smoking causes inflammation and congestion of the lungs that make it harder to absorb oxygen from the air.

Does Sleep Apnea Ever Go Away?

In many cases, a patient will have to seek help from a qualified dentist to resolve their sleep apnea. After a brief consultation, your oral health provider will be able to design an appropriate treatment plan to address the issue. However, you may be able to reduce your symptoms at home by:

• Exercising regularly: This will teach your cardiovascular system to work more efficiently, which can make it easier to breathe when you sleep.
• Eating properly: Enjoying a balanced diet will help you reduce inflammation and maintain a healthy weight, which can reduce many symptoms of sleep apnea.
• Avoiding alcohol for a few hours before bed: This can make it harder for the weight in your neck to restrict your airflow and may significantly reduce how many times you have to wake up to go to the bathroom at night.
• Quitting tobacco: This will make it easier for your body to absorb oxygen when you breathe.
• Propping your head up: Elevating your head with cushions or pillows or sleeping in a recliner can allow gravity to pull the weight in your neck away from your airway.

Don’t let sleep apnea deprive you of the rest you need for an enjoyable day. Consulting with your dentist can help you understand how to address your symptoms.

About the Practice

Waterbury Smiles offers the best oral healthcare in town. Led by Drs. Luciano Marini and Ann Marie Mancini, the staff treats each patient with compassion, courtesy, and exemplary customer service. Areas of expertise include general, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry. If you’d like to learn more about sleep apnea treatment, contact the office online or dial (203) 575-9097.