Sleep apnea has a significant impact on your overall health and well-being, and it has been known to cause or contribute to a number of serious medical problems. In fact, insufficient sleep as a result of sleep apnea has been recognized as a global health issue and a public health epidemic by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A lack of restful sleep has been linked to car and occupational accidents, lowered productivity, and difficulty in performing daily tasks and maintaining a healthy quality of life.
As healthy sleep is essential for your health, safety and ability to function normally, we recommend that you seek treatment as soon as possible if you notice the signs of sleep apnea or are diagnosed with this condition. Your body needs sleep as much as it needs air and food. Healthy sleep helps your body heal itself and restore its chemical balances. If you are not getting enough sleep, your body will be unable to function properly, and you will be at an increased risk of developing a number of physical and psychological conditions, including:
- Problems with the central nervous system
- Problems with the immune system
- Problems with the digestive system
- Problems with hormone production
- Heart disease and a weakened cardiovascular system
- Stroke
- Liver problems
- High blood pressure
- Increased blood pressure
- Weight gain
- Impaired memory and difficulty concentrating
- Anxiety and depression
- Increased risk of Type 2 diabetes
- Poor balance
- Excessive daytime drowsiness
Common symptoms of sleep apnea include:
- Regular and loud snoring
- Gasping or choking sounds during sleep
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Insomnia
- Headaches
- A dry or sore throat upon waking
Dr. Drew Shabo is committed to helping you improve your health and enjoy a better night’s sleep through oral appliance therapy. To learn more about the connection between sleep apnea and health and schedule a consultation with our dentist in Knoxville, Tennessee, call Southland Dental today at 865-671-1544.