Sleep Apnea Treatment in Greenville, SC
5 Reasons Why You Should Get Treated
This may seem obvious, but improving your sleep has a significant impact on your life. You’ll wake up feeling rested and energized for the day!
Your snoring may be negatively impacting your significant other. Plus, you may save yourself from a few “stop snoring” jabs and increase intimacy.
One study… This text opens a new tab to the source… showed the risk of dying was three times higher in those with severe sleep disturbances. Treating your sleep apnea helps reduce your risk of depression, diabetes, and cancer.
All aspects of your life can benefit from sleep apnea treatment: save money by avoiding health problems, look younger with restful sleep, manage weight better, experience less irritability, and more!
Have Questions About Sleep Apnea in Greenville?
Get answers straight from our sleep apnea dentist.
- What are the common signs of sleep apnea?
- Loud snoring – snoring that wakes you or your partner up can be an indicator that something is obstructing your airway.
- Episodes of stopped breathing – this is usually reported by another person and can be an indicator of a serious condition that needs to be treated.
- Gasping for air while sleeping – this indicates that the person has either stopped breathing or is having trouble breathing.
- Dry mouth in the morning – usually due to sleeping with your mouth open.
- Morning headaches – oxygen level drops due to the intermittent breathing.
- Difficulty sleeping – tossing and turning all night can be an indicator that you’re having trouble breathing.
- Daytime sleepiness – waking up all night (even if you don’t notice) will make you more tired and drowsy throughout the day.
- Irritability – lack of good quality sleep can impact your emotional well-being.
- What are the risk factors?
- Excess weight – obesity greatly increases your risk of sleep apnea. Fat deposits around your upper airway can obstruct your breathing.
- Neck circumference – people with thicker necks might have narrower airways.
- A narrowed airway – some people might have a narrow throat. Tonsils or adenoids also can enlarge and block the airway, particularly in children.
- Being male – men are two to three times more likely to have sleep apnea than are women. However, women increase their risk if they’re overweight, and their risk also appears to rise after menopause.
- Being older – sleep apnea occurs significantly more often in older adults.
- Family history – having family members with sleep apnea might increase your risk.
- Use of alcohol, sedatives, or tranquilizers – these substances relax the muscles in your throat, which can worsen obstructive sleep apnea.
- Smoking – smokers are three times more likely to have obstructive sleep apnea than are people who’ve never smoked. Smoking can increase the amount of inflammation and fluid retention in the upper airway.
- Nasal congestion – if you have difficulty breathing through your nose — whether from an anatomical problem or allergies — you’re more likely to develop obstructive sleep apnea.
- What happens if my sleep apnea is left untreated?
Untreated sleep apnea increases your risk of:
- Cardiovascular problems
- Type 2 diabetes
- Liver problems
- Medication or surgery problems
- Headaches
- Daytime fatigue
- Memory problems
- Weight gain
- Motor vehicle crashes
- Job impairment
- Shortened lifespan
If you notice symptoms of sleep apnea, we strongly recommend you visit Dr. Rackely for a consultation.
- What are the treatment options?
- Oral appliances – designed to keep your mouth open, can relieve snoring and mild obstructive sleep apnea.
- Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) – a mask that you wear at night that delivers constant air to your lungs while you sleep.
“Dr. Ayers and Dr. Rackley Are Top-Notch”
