Sleep Apnea Arlington VA

While a medical professional is always the best person to go for when you have sleep apnea, you could also consider seeing a quality dentist as part of the process. As part of the condition’s symptoms, you could damage your teeth and lead to other dental problems.
When you visit Bloom Dental, you will ensure your teeth are returned to total health and that any damage is properly taken care of. Our quality of dental service makes us a trusted and leading dentist in Arlington, VA.

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a disorder that affects your breathing when you are asleep. The main symptom is your breathing with stop and start, which could be dangerous. If untreated, it can cause more than a few other symptoms such as the following:

• Loud Snoring
• Difficulty Sleeping
• Constant Tiredness During the Day

It could even lead to high blood pressure and other heart problems, which is the main reason it needs to be treated. This could become a more serious issue over time.

Who does sleep apnea affect?

Sleep apnea affects millions of people around the world. While there are no exact criteria for sleep apnea to affect someone, more than a few factors make it more likely you’ll develop it. Some of the more notable of these are the following:

1. Being Overweight
2. Old Age
3. Nasal congestion
4. Family History
5. Smoking
6. Medical Conditions like Diabetes and Congestive Heart Failure
7. Being Born Male

This list isn’t exhaustive, but it includes some of the more common factors that determine whether you are at risk of developing sleep apnea.

How does sleep apnea affect my body?

Sleep apnea affects your body in more than a few ways. Interrupting your sleep and making your body feel increasingly tired is just the tip of the iceberg. That is one of the least problematic ways it affects you and your body.
It can lead to type 2 diabetes, elevate your blood pressure, increase your cholesterol levels, and more. You could even improve your blood sugar levels and put on more weight. It could even lead to dental problems. These are serious health issues that nobody wants to go through.
How does sleep apnea disrupt your sleep cycle?
Many people find their sleep cycle being disrupted when they have sleep apnea. The main reason is a lack of oxygen that leads to a survival reflex which wakes you from sleep. This happens so that your body can start breathing again, which calms your survival reflex.

What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?

Because you are asleep, you may not notice some of the symptoms of sleep apnea that you could experience. Some of the more common ones are the following:

• Chronic Snoring
• Disruptions in Brain Function
• Waking Up Repeatedly
• Unusual Breathing Patterns

What causes sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea can be caused by more than a few things, depending on the type of sleep apnea you’re diagnosed with. For example, obstructive sleep apnea is caused by muscles in your neck relaxing, causing them to press on your windpipe.
Central sleep apnea can be caused by damage to your nervous system, low blood oxygen levels, and even heart failure. Getting treatment is always recommended for these.

What tests will be done to diagnose sleep apnea?

Testing for sleep apnea usually involves monitoring your breathing, heart rate, blood oxygen levels, and similar areas when you are asleep. This can be done at home, but overnight sleep studies in a clinic are also an option. By doing these tests, your brain waves will be tested as well. These tests are not uncomfortable, and even an overnight stay at a clinic is designed to be as comfortable as possible.

How soon after treatment will I feel better?

How long it takes to recover after sleep apnea treatment depends on your specific circumstances. Some people report feeling better almost immediately, while others will need up to six months of treatment before seeing the results. A medical professional can give you more specific information about this.