Dangers of Sleep Apnea – Lincoln, NE
Understanding the Effects of Untreated Sleep Apnea
It’s estimated that over 20 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea. If you’re one of them, you may be all too familiar with how it makes you feel drowsy, tired, and unproductive. However, what you may not realize is that this disorder can have some serious effects on your body. Read on to learn more about sleep apnea in Lincoln as well as what we can do to help!
Common Signs of Sleep Apnea
The symptoms of sleep apnea are often difficult to detect because they occur at night. However, you and your sleeping partner can be on the lookout for these common warning signs:
- Loud snoring
- Waking up gasping for breath
- Morning headaches
- Irritability
- Daytime fatigue
- Loss of libido
- Insomnia
- Waking up with a dry or sore throat
If you notice any of these symptoms, please don’t hesitate to contact our office!
Sleep Apnea Health Risks
The dangers of sleep apnea are unfortunately much more serious than dozing off at work. In fact, prolonged sleep deprivation can do severe damage to your overall health. This common condition has been linked to various health risks, including:
- Weight gain: If you’re always tired, you will be less likely to exercise, leading to potential weight gain. Obesity also increases your sleep apnea symptoms to begin with.
- Heart disease: Sleep apnea disrupts your oxygen levels, which can potentially increase the risk of heart attack.
- High blood pressure: Waking up multiple times throughout the night may increase stress and boost your blood pressure levels.
- Type 2 diabetes: Lack of rest can prevent the body from properly using insulin, which may lead to diabetes.
How We Can Help
After you’ve received an official sleep apnea diagnosis, contact our office right away! Dr. Olberding offers a comfortable, easy to use alternative to the traditional CPAP machine with custom-made oral appliances. These personalized mouthpieces shift the jaw and/or tongue into a position that clears the airway for easy breathing. The best part is that this appliance can fit in your pocket and it doesn’t cause noise, unlike the CPAP machine. This makes it simple for patients to get adjusted to sleeping with an oral appliance. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact our office!