You may have experienced the phenomenon of grinding your teeth at night before, chalking it up to nothing more than increased tension or outside stressors. One thing to consider, however, is that maybe your nighttime bruxism isn’t actually occurring due to added stress, but instead to the body’s ability to attempt to regulate your breathing. Indeed, this could be indicative of a much bigger concern, and seeking an expert opinion will surely help. In today’s blog, your Houston, TX dentist will address the effects of your nighttime disorder and how, if you do not seek help, how it can affect you more so in the future.
How it Affects You Now
If you awaken feeling exhausted despite having a full night’s rest, you may be experiencing a phenomenon known as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). OSA occurs when the muscles in your throat relax during the night while you rest, causing your airway to become obstructed or restricted. When this occurs, your brain will recognize the inability to breath, thus sending signals to the throat muscles and briefly rouse you to correct the problem. Where this becomes a major issue, however, is that this process can continue multiple times throughout the night, resulting in periodic episodes of briefly rousing and falling back asleep. In other words, you will experience cycles of repeatedly stopping and starting breathing. Usually, it takes a family member or partner being present to identify this behavior, but as soon as you suspect this is affecting you, contact our office immediately.
What You Need to Worry About
Individuals who suffer from OSA may experience side effects such as awakening with a dry mouth, hypersomnia during day, insomnia at night, daytime fatigue, headaches, and even more. Indeed, it can be a nuisance of a toll, but bear in mind that if help is not sought, it will only get worse. Believe it or not, disorders such as OSA can begin to impact your health as well, including complications with surgeries, heart disease, high blood pressure, liver problems, type 2 diabetes, and even increased blood pressure to name a few. In other words, sleep apnea can become a life-threatening situation if help is not properly sought. For more information, contact our team today.
When to Seek Help
It goes without saying that OSA is a potentially dangerous and life-altering condition. The moment you believe you are experiencing any of the symptoms or even simply feel you are having difficulty sleeping, do not hesitate to reach out. A number of solutions are out there such as CPAP machines, custom oral appliances, and more that a professional can recommend and specifically tailor to your situation.
Schedule Your Appointment
For more information about the effects of OSA or to schedule your appointment with our team, contact SleepWell Houston in Houston, TX by calling 713-796-9600 today.
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