What Happens If Sleep Apnea in Reno Goes Untreated?

Do you have problems sleeping? Do you wake up in the middle of the night gasping for air? Does your bed partner complain about your loud and frequent snoring? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might have sleep apnea. It’s important to get sleep apnea in Reno diagnosed right away. Let’s look at what can happen if the condition remains untreated.

What Is Sleep Apnea?

The most common form of sleep apnea is called obstructive sleep apnea. It occurs when the airway is blocked during sleep when soft tissues in the back of the mouth and throat collapse. This can make you snore, and can also cause you to wake up so you can breathe better. Sometimes you might not remember waking up in the middle of the night, but it can interfere with your natural sleep cycle, meaning you don’t get the restful sleep you need.

What Are the Symptoms of Sleep Apnea?

It’s estimated that 80 percent of people with sleep apnea are undiagnosed. Tell your dentist in Reno if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Loud snoring
• Waking up with a dry or sore throat or a headache
• Waking up choking or gasping for air
• Mood swings or depression
• Constant fatigue during the day
• Difficulty concentrating
• Memory loss

What Can Happen When Sleep Apnea Is Left Untreated?

When you are unable to breathe while you sleep, your brain sends your body into panic mode. It elevates your heart rate and blood pressure, causing you to wake up. These increased instances of elevated blood pressure and heart rate can actually increase inflammation throughout the body. Chronic inflammation can lead to plaque buildup in the arteries and increase your risk for heart attack and stroke. It can also damage the pancreas and lead to type 2 diabetes. Other health conditions linked to untreated sleep apnea include:

• Metabolic syndrome
• High blood pressure
• Glaucoma
• Pregnancy complications such as gestational diabetes and preeclampsia
• Liver damage
• Asthma

How Is Sleep Apnea Treated?

The most traditional method of treating sleep apnea involves a CPAP machine. It delivers air through a mask you wear over your nose and mouth to keep tissues from blocking your airway.

Another treatment option is called an oral appliance. It is a device kind of like a mouthguard in that it is custom-made to fit your teeth, but instead of protecting your teeth, it gradually shifts your lower jaw forward to open up your airway. Many patients prefer oral appliances, since CPAP machines make a fairly loud humming noise. However, other patients find that noise helps them get to sleep.

At your next appointment, ask your dentist if they think you may have sleep apnea. Even if you don’t have it, it never hurts to get a sleep study done to rule it out. Getting diagnosed and treating could save your life.

About the Practice

At Summit Boulevard Dental in Reno, NV, our team of four dentists possess expertise in a wide variety of areas of dentistry. We have a general dentist, oral surgeon, endodontist, and periodontist. We also offer treatment options for sleep apnea. To help find out if you have sleep apnea, call us today at (775)-683-3008.