Sleep apnea in Huber Heights can be a tricky disorder to diagnose because many of the symptoms go unnoticed in the middle of the night while your body is trying to rest. This condition doesn’t just interrupt your breathing, but it can also impact the way your body functions every day. While it’s commonly known that one of the primary causes is obesity, there are other factors that could make your symptoms worse. Read on for 5 causes of sleep apnea that could drastically affect the quality of your rest.
Drastic Overbite
If you have a severe overbite where your upper teeth cover over 50 percent of your lower teeth, it could contribute to your chronic snoring and even be the cause of your obstructive sleep apnea. When your lower jaw sits excessively far back, it can narrow your upper airway. There is a surgery that can be conducted to place your jaw in its ideal position if it’s causing your quality of rest to suffer. This will open your airway and eliminate your symptoms.
A Deviated Nasal Septum
Another common factor that can contribute to your obstructive sleep apnea is a deviated nasal septum. Your septum is a piece of your nose made from bone and cartilage that divides your left and right nasal cavities. You probably won’t notice any symptoms that your septum is crooked, but if you do, it could be congestion, nosebleeds, snoring, or sleep apnea. There is a surgery that can correct the problem and eliminate your symptoms related to your condition.
Menopause
Many women who are going through menopause may develop obstructive sleep apnea due to decreased levels of estrogen and progesterone. Both of these hormones help promote rest, and estrogen can also make you more vulnerable to stressors that disrupt your sleep as well as the parts of your brain that control breathing. Studies show a connection between decreased estrogen and increased cases of sleep apnea. In fact, in a study published in Chest, it was found that 47 percent of postmenopausal women exhibit symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea.
A Large Neck Circumference
If you have a large neck, you could have excessive amounts of fatty tissue surrounding your upper airways and causing them to become obstructed. So, how do you know what’s considered “large” and what’s not? In studies, researchers defined that for men, it’s larger than 17 inches, and for women it’s 15 inches.
Smoking
The chemicals in cigarettes have long been known to irritate your oral tissues and cause your upper airway to become inflamed. This can cause obstruction and decrease the amount of airflow. In fact, in a clinical trial published in Sleeping and Breathing, the connection showed that people who smoke are 2.5-times more likely to develop sleep apnea than patients who don’t smoke. This bad oral habit has also been connected to sleep deprivation and extended episodes of apnea.
If you’re experiencing symptoms of sleep apnea and feel constantly fatigued, don’t wait to get treatment. Visit your medical professional to get a diagnosis so you can start researching ways that you improve your quality of sleep with your dentist in Huber Heights. When left untreated, this disorder can begin to impact your day-to-day life, so act as soon as possible!
About the Author
Dr. James Striebel enjoys improving his patients’ quality of rest by providing them with the treatment they need for their sleep apnea. With over 20 years of experience under his belt, he strives to make his patients feel comfortable and well cared-for as soon as they step into his practice. As an active member of multiple professional organizations such as the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, he stays up-to-date with the latest advancements in his field. For questions or to schedule an appointment, visit his website or contact 937-235-2400.