Symptoms of sleep apnea in Mesa AZ

Posted By: Dr. Edward Fritz | Published On: May 16, 2017 | Snoring and Sleep Apnea

The word “apnea” is Greek in origin, it was derived from the word “a-pnoia” that means “without breath.” Obstructive sleep apnea is a very common condition characterized by abnormal pauses in breathing during sleep. The pauses can last for 10 seconds or longer. Patients with mild obstructive sleep apnea may suffer 10 or more episodes and hour, but those with severe apnea can suffer hundreds of episodes during a night’s sleep.

SYMPTOMS OF OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA

The most noticeable symptom (at least for your bed-mate) is loud snoring with intermittent pauses in breathing that usually ends with a gasp for air or choking. Depending on the length of the episode, this may even awaken you. Other common nighttime symptoms you may experience include restless sleep, difficulty staying asleep (insomnia), and frequently urinating during the night.

Some of the symptoms you may notice during the day include:

Waking up with a dry mouth
Frequently waking up in the morning with a headache
Fatigue
Being irritable
Problems with short-term memory
Difficulty staying awake during the day
Problems focusing on tasks such as paperwork

Obstructive sleep apnea is a very dangerous condition that can lead to heart problems, high blood pressure, stroke, or diabetes, among other concerns. If you suffer from any of these symptoms, you need to see Dr. Fritz and the team at New Health Dental.

TREATMENT OF SLEEP APNEA

A CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine is a common treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. Patients wear a mask while sleeping and the machine provides a continuous stream of air that keeps the airway open during sleep. Many patients will discontinue use of the CPAP machine after a few months because they cannot adjust to wearing the mask while sleeping. An alternative to the CPAP machine is an oral appliance that is available from Dr. Fritz.

These appliances resemble a mouth guard and work by moving the lower jaw forwarded to keep the airway open. Here at New Health Dental, we offer our patients a style of oral appliance that is very comfortable. You can open and close your mouth and even drink water while wearing it. You will wake up feeling well rested, without a sore throat or dry mouth, and be ready for your day.

To find out how you can benefit from the use of an oral appliance, call New Health Dental at (480) 830-3305 and schedule a consultation with Dr. Fritz. You will be on your way to discovering what a good night’s sleep feels like. Our office is located at 2830 E. Brown Rd, #9 Mesa, AZ 85213.

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