Sleep apnea in Columbus is a growing issue that affects over 22 million people nationwide. The problems can extend beyond just interrupted sleep, though. If not treated, sleep apnea can encourage the development of life-threatening health issues like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. As you read on, you’ll learn how sleep deprivation can negatively impact your overall wellness and how you can recover by receiving the right treatment.
What is Sleep Apnea?
If you’re suffering from sleep apnea, you may have noticed that you always feel tired and sluggish throughout the day, even if you’ve slept for the standard time of seven-to-eight hours. The reason you don’t feel rested is that your sleep cycle has been interrupted.
That’s because sleep apnea causes frequent pauses in breathing throughout the night, and these breaks trigger your brain to send distress signals that cause you to awaken so you can once again start breathing. The most common form of the condition is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which refers to a partial blockage of the airway. Thus, your partner may notice that you snore loudly and make gasping sounds while resting.
Serious Health Problems Associated with Sleep Apnea
Getting proper sleep does more than just replenish your energy. It also provides a way to rid the body of harmful toxins. If your oxygen supply is limited while slumbering, then this natural detox process is inhibited. This can lead to two life-threatening conditions.
Alzheimer’s Disease
One result can be a greater susceptibility to developing Alzheimer’s disease, which is a neurodegenerative condition that diminishes your brain’s capacity to store long-term memories and decreases its elasticity. While this disease is typically more prominent among older patients, it can be brought on earlier by sleep apnea.
Parkinson’s Disease
Another condition that can be encouraged by sleep apnea is Parkinson’s disease. The difference is that it targets the nervous system, causing a loss of balance and the inability to maintain muscle control. Like Alzheimer’s disease, the likelihood of developing Parkinson’s is increased when the body isn’t able to flush harmful toxins while resting.
How Sleep Apnea Therapy Can Help
The good news is that with a proper diagnosis and timely treatment, it’s possible to once again get quality sleep. While the usual form of treating sleep apnea is with a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, which consists of a base unit, tube and mask, some patients prefer a more convenient method.
The alternative is to be fitted with a custom-designed oral appliance. It works to shift the jaw to allow for the necessary flow of oxygen that the brain and the rest of the body need to function at their optimal levels.
The first step, though, is to reach out to your local dentist to undergo an initial assessment. Then, if your symptoms appear to be concurrent with sleep apnea, you’ll be referred to a doctor who will provide a sleep study.
If you are diagnosed with sleep apnea, your dentist can then provide the care you need to rest better and improve your overall health.
About the Author
A graduate of The Ohio State University College of Dentistry, Dr. Eric Buck is an expert in treating sleep apnea. To stay abreast of the complex changes in treatment protocols, he maintains professional membership with the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine. Dr. Buck helps patients rest better at The Columbus Sleep Center, and he can be reached for more information through his website.