Sleep Apnea
In Dallas, Fort Worth, Garland, Irving, and Plano, Texas
The Greek word "apnea" literally means "without breath". Regardless of the causes of sleep apnea, the result is constant interruption in breathing while you sleep and the effects can be quite serious.
If you feel you or a loved one is suffering from sleep apnea and you live in the Dallas area, there is help available. At Smile’N Share It, Dr. Cliff Avant and his staff will evaluate your symptoms and work with you to arrive at the treatment plan best suited to your needs. Take the Epworth Sleep Test to see if you might suffer from sleep apnea.
You no longer have to suffer restless nights of interrupted sleep that leave feeling run-down and groggy the next day.
The Danger of Sleep Apnea
People who suffer from heavy snoring and sleep apnea are deprived of necessary oxygen while they sleep. While it may not seem like a serious problem because the sleep apnea eventually wakes up to take the necessary breath of air, the lack of oxygen to the body can have lasting effects. Sometimes the body can experience as much as a 50% reduction in the amount of oxygen being taken in. This lack of oxygen can lead to many health problems including an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Sleep apnea is a very common disorder that can be very serious and affect your health in a dramatic way. With sleep apnea, your breathing stops or gets very shallow while you are sleeping. Each pause in your breathing can last 10-20 seconds, and these pauses can occur up to 20 to 30 times an hour as you sleep!
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can lead to the following serious health/cognitive problems:
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Stroke
- Heart attack
- Fibromyalgia
- Cardiac Arrhythmia
- Diabetes
- Anxiety
- Weight gain
- Memory impairment
- Lack of concentration
- Mood swings
- Insomnia
- Intellectual deterioration
You may be suffering from sleep apnea if you suffer some combination of these symptoms:
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Tiredness
- Dry mouth
- Sore throat
- Insomnia
- Inability to sleep through the night
- Restlessness during the night
- Short term memory problems
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Diabetes
- Memory/concentration difficulties
- Intellectual deterioration
Treatment
Treatment for sleep apnea varies with each patient's diagnosis. Patients may be fitted for an oral appliance and still others may require CPAP or further treatment to prevent upper airway obstruction. Dr. Avant will work with you to decide which treatment plan is right for you.
To learn more about this common, yet serious, sleep disorder, please contact Dr. Avant at Smile ‘N Share It today to schedule your initial appointment.
