Everyone knows that good quality sleep is an important part of a healthy lifestyle and greatly affects your quality of life. The average adult spends a third of their life sleeping. A good night’s sleep restores and refreshes us so we can mentally and physically be at our best. But for some people, getting a good night’s sleep is a struggle, particularly for those with sleep problems such as sleep apnea.
What does poor sleep cost you? In addition to being tired, irritable, and having brain fog, inadequate sleep causes an array of medical issues. Poor sleep can lead to car accidents and loss of productivity at work. It has been associated with Alzheimer’s disease, as well as an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes. It can cause or worsen high blood pressure, increases the risk of inflammatory diseases, diabetes, and can influence weight gain. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, untreated sleep apnea can shorten your lifespan.
Treatment of sleep apnea includes CPAP, positive pressure air through a nose canula or face mask. A CPAP is the gold standard for treating sleep apnea and is very effective when worn consistently. However, compliance is low due to discomfort and patients taking off the mask during the night and not putting it back on. A good alternative, with a much higher compliance rate, is a mandibular advancement appliance. This is a customized sleep appliance, made by a dentist certified by the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine, to reposition the jaw allowing the airway to remain open while sleeping. The advantages are that they are more comfortable, patients don’t have the hassles of air tubes and masks, they do not need to be removed for late-night trips to the bathroom, and they are aesthetically more acceptable to patients.
You can improve your quality of life, decrease medical issues, and possibly prolong your life by treating your sleep apnea. If you or a loved one is concerned about sleep apnea, please take the important first step of reaching out to a professional to find out your options. To learn more, contact a local dentist who is certified by the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine, such as Dr. Ruehle at www.gardenoaksfamilydental.com.