If you suffer from sleep apnea, you are not alone. Many people may not know they have it until someone tells them. However, this condition can be harmful to your oral health. To help you understand why sleep apnea is a threat, our dentists, Dr. Manchester and Dr. Lawton with Northwest Center for Prosthodontics in Olympia, Washington, are here to give you this information.
Sleep apnea is a sleeping disorder. Basically, your breathing becomes difficult or interrupted as you sleep. The sleeping disorder can occur to anyone, no matter their age. However, more adults are likely to catch sleep apnea then children. Adults over forty or who are overweight are typically the most likely to develop this condition. Sleep apnea can also happen in people with a long family history of sleep apnea or people with very large tongues, large tonsils or very small jaws. If you suffer from any nasal obstructions such as a deviated septum, allergies or any sinus conditions, you can also be at risk for sleep apnea.
When left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to a swarm of problems that oftentimes could have been avoided. These health problems include:
-Stroke
-Heart failure or heart attacks
-High blood pressure
-Diabetes
-Depression
-Worsening of ADHD
Many of these health problems can lead to fatal results, which is why treating your sleep apnea is always ideal.
If you have further questions about sleep apnea or would like to make an appointment, please call 360-459-4400 today. We are happy to help you find a treatment that could improve this condition.