Early detection of any health issue only increases your likelihood of recovery. If you live in or around Calgary and you're suffering from sleep apnea, it's important to recognize the symptoms and know when to seek help.
Sleep apnea is a potentially fatal condition that affects millions of North Americans each year. To begin exploring treatment options, please call Aesthetic Dental Studio today at 403-543-4600. Dr. Gordon Chee serves patients in Calgary and communities throughout Alberta.
Do I Have Sleep Apnea?
Apnea comes in two different forms, both of which cause patients to stop breathing multiple times a night while they sleep. Obstructive sleep apnea is caused by anatomical blockage in the airway, such as an excessively large tongue, tonsils or other soft tissue. Central sleep apnea occurs due to a defect in the central nervous system.
The following symptoms can accompany both types of sleep apnea:
- Snoring
- Coughing, choking or gasping fits during sleep
- Insomnia
- Extreme fatigue during the day, even after eight hours of sleep the night before
- Severe headaches after waking up
- Memory issues and trouble concentrating
Because many apnea symptoms occur during sleep, it's not uncommon for a loved one or roommate to complain about loud snoring keeping them awake at night. If you've been told how loudly you snore night after night and you've also experienced some of the above symptoms, it could be an early indicator of sleep apnea.
Seeking Help for Sleep Apnea
Untreated sleep apnea limits the amount of oxygen that reaches the brain, heart, lungs and other parts of the body. In time this can lead to a multitude of physical and emotional health issues, including:
- High blood pressure
- Slowed metabolism, making it easy to gain weight and difficult to lose it
- Diabetes
- Sexual dysfunction
- Mood swings
- ADD/ADHD symptoms
The only way to find out for sure if you have sleep apnea is a sleep study that monitors your physical responses to events when the body is at rest. If you've been diagnosed with sleep apnea, our team at Aesthetic Dental Studio can assess your case, answer your questions about sleep apnea and recommend a custom treatment plan to begin alleviating your symptoms.
For more information about sleep apnea symptoms and treatment options, please contact Aesthetic Dental Studio online or call 403-543-4600 today to schedule your initial evaluation. We are pleased to welcome patients throughout Calgary and Alberta.
