Sleep Apnea: 5 Facts That Might Surprise You

Has anyone ever told you that you snore loudly or that your breathing sometimes stops when you’re asleep? If so, you could have sleep apnea. You’ve most likely heard of this disorder before – but chances are you don’t know everything about it. Anyone who has been diagnosed with sleep apnea (or think they might have it) should review the following 5 potentially surprising facts about the condition.

1. Severe Sleep Apnea Can Interrupt Breathing Hundreds of Times a Night

The severity of sleep apnea is measured based on how often your breathing is interrupted while you’re asleep. In mild cases, you may only experience 5 to 15 sleep apnea episodes per hour. But if you have severe sleep apnea, then you could be experiencing more than 30 interruptions every hour – which means hundreds of episodes can occur every night and wreak havoc with your ability to get quality slumber.

2. As Many as 90 Percent of Sleep Apnea Cases are Undiagnosed

It is believed that as much as a fifth of the population could be suffering from sleep apnea, but it’s difficult to say for sure because most cases go undiagnosed. Many people – particularly those who live alone – are completely unaware that they have a sleep disorder, and as a result, they let it go untreated for far too long.

The best thing you can do to protect yourself from sleep apnea is to keep an eye out for potential symptoms – such as chronic tiredness or mood swings – and talk to a sleep expert if you think something is wrong.

3. Sleep Apnea Does Not Just Affect People Who are Overweight

It’s estimated that sleep apnea is about seven times more common in people who are considered obese. In short, being overweight can significantly increase your risk for sleep apnea. But the disorder can still affect people with normal weight. Your facial anatomy, sleep schedule, breathing control, and other factors could all play a role. In short, sleep apnea is something that everyone should be wary of.

4. Sleep Apnea Symptoms are Different Between Men and Women

Both men and women can experience sleep apnea, but their symptoms tend to be different. In particular, snoring is commonly associated with sleep apnea, but it occurs more often in men. Meanwhile, women often exhibit different warning signs such as insomnia, depression, and a dry mouth upon awakening.

5. CPAP Therapy is Not the Only Way to Treat Sleep Apnea

Are you not looking forward to having to use a CPAP machine to treat sleep apnea? You might not have to. Many patients are able to improve the quality of their slumber simply by wearing an oral appliance that can keep the airway open. Talk to a sleep dentist if you think an oral appliance might help you rest more soundly at night.

About the Author

Dr. Steve W. Cobb has been practicing dentistry for more than 45 years. He’s always keeping an eye on the latest research so that he can learn about the latest strategies for protecting and improving smiles. At his practice in Odessa, he’s able to provide personalized oral appliances for treating sleep apnea. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Cobb, visit his website or call (432) 367-4774.