It goes without saying that everyone at one point or another in their lives has experienced a restless night of sleep. Whether it was from sleeping too long during the day, drinking a cup of coffee late in the evening, or anything else in-between, it has happened to the best of us. What is not considered normal, however, is chronic nighttime snoring that affects your quality of sleep. In today’s blog, your Houston, TX dentist takes a look at the possible causes and results of chronic nighttime snoring, and how our team can help mitigate complications with the help of an oral appliance.
An Attempt to Regulate Breathing
When an individual snores, what is likely to occur is that their airway has become blocked or narrowed. As the air attempts to push its way past, a rumbling noise is a result. Indeed, snoring has long been linked to the body’s attempt at survival, and it could be indicative of a bigger underlying concern that needs to be addressed.
The problem that arises when an individual experiences snoring is that they are unable to receive a full night’s rest, especially if snoring is linked to Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). This process occurs when the throat muscles become relaxed while one slumbers, narrowing the airway. In response, the brain sends signals to these muscles so that you are briefly roused from your slumber to correct the issue.
Unfortunately, this cycle of rousing and falling back asleep just to be roused once more contributes to lackluster rest, and a number of daytime side effects will arise as a result. For more information about this process, reach out to our team today.
Understanding Other Factors
While OSA may very well be the cause of chronic snoring, bear in mind that failing to seek the treatment necessary to address the concern will result in the development of other complications.
Indeed, issues such as high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, GERD, headaches, moodiness, depression, fatigue, type II diabetes, heart attack, stroke, and more can all occur if your OSA concern is not addressed. Reach out to our team today to learn your options regarding chronic snoring and sleep apnea.
Seeking Necessary Treatment
While OSA and chronic snoring can get out of hand quickly, fortunately, there are treatments that can adequately help. For instance, a custom oral appliance can serve a variety of purposes, including preventing damage to your teeth from grinding, opening the airway to promote proper airflow and help address your obstructive sleep apnea. It is much better to act sooner rather than later, however, so we encourage you to reach out to our team immediately.
Learn More Today
Contact SleepWell Houston in Houston, TX by calling 713-796-9600 to schedule your next appointment with our team or learn more about how poor sleep can lead to breathing complications that impact your health.
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