At the Clinton Township, MI dental practice of Dr. Mindy Salzberg-Siegel, our team genuinely cares not only about your oral health, but about your overall wellness, too. That’s why we specialize in offering comprehensive screening and treatment for serious health conditions like obstructive sleep apnea, a common sleep disorder that prevents proper airflow to the lungs while the affected patient is sleeping. With our sleep apnea assessment, screening, and proven treatments, we can help you prevent the serious health effects associated with this widespread condition.
Knowing the Symptoms & Risk Factors of Sleep Apnea (OSA)
While excessively loud snoring is among the most noticeable symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea, there are other signs that you and your loved ones should keep in mind as well. These lesser known effects may help in the ultimate assessment of your risk and should be brought up in the next conversation you have with Dr. Salzberg-Siegel. Common symptoms include:
- Morning fatigue and headaches
- Irritability or anxiety
- Inability to concentrate on daily tasks
- In children, failure to grow or gain weight as expected for age group
- Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep (insomnia)
- Waking up with a sore throat and/or dry mouth
- Sudden awakenings with chest pain, shortness of breath, or rapid heartbeat
Risk factors for the development of sleep apnea include:
- Smoking
- Alcohol use before bedtime
- Being overweight
- Chronic nasal congestion
- Narrowed airway, usually due to enlarged glands or a large neck
In addition to these factors, individuals who have a family history of sleep apnea are more likely to suffer from this condition.
The Importance of Treating Sleep Apnea
When left untreated or when insufficiently managed, obstructive sleep apnea can lead to a wide variety of potentially life-threatening health complications, including:
- High blood pressure
- Coronary artery disease
- Heart failure and cardiac arrest
- Atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat)
- Stroke
- Obesity
- Pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs)
- Disorders of thee eyes, including glaucoma, conjunctivitis, optic neuropathy
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Diabetes
- Excessive daytime fatigue, which may lead to accidents at work, at home, and behind the wheel
- Erectile dysfunction
- Nerve disorders, seizures, and epilepsy
- Increased risk of severe asthma attacks
- Risk to the health of pregnant women and their unborn babies
- Chronic depression, anxiety, and other psychological problems
Another pertinent side effect of sleep apnea is substantial memory loss. If you often find yourself at a loss for a specific word or phrase, or if you frequently forget names, you may be unwittingly suffering from obstructive sleep apnea. The majority of people affected by this common sleep disorder do not recall waking up throughout the night, though they do typically feel extremely tired upon waking and even throughout the day. This is another reason that screening for sleep apnea is so integral to your overall health and well-being.
Sleep Apnea Screening in Clinton Township, MI
It is estimated that more than 18 million men and women in America suffer from sleep apnea. Take control of your health and your life with a sleep apnea assessment at SelfScreen.net and a consultation with Dr. Salzberg-Siegel. We will work with you to develop a treatment plan that addresses your symptoms as well as the underlying cause of your OSA so that you can finally enjoy restful sleep and improved health. Conveniently located in Clinton Township, MI, our state-of-the-art practice is privileged to serve the needs of families from throughout the surrounding communities, including Saint Clair Shores, Mount Clemens, Sterling Heights, Shelby, Fraser, and beyond.