What is Sleep Apnea?

With daily stress, jam-packed schedules, and excessive blue light from computers and TV screens, getting a good night’s sleep is hard enough without adding apnea to the mix. Yet, 18% of the general population suffer nonetheless. Many of those people, though, don’t address the issue and don’t get the help they need. 

Unfortunately, sleep apnea is a very dangerous condition. If you experience apnea, it means that something is blocking your airway while you are sleeping. Generally, the blockage comes from a collapsed tissue, causing loud and excessive snoring. 

All in all, this airway blockage forces your brain to wake up over and over again in the middle of the night. This constant restlessness prohibits a good night’s sleep and doesn’t allow you to get the REM sleep that your body and brain need to function throughout the day. 

The Lasting Effects of Sleep Apnea

Daytime drowsiness can affect the way we think, feel, and work, but it is the least of our concerns when it comes to sleep apnea. In fact, there are much more serious problems when it comes to disrupted sleep. 

Since your body cannot enter the REM cycle of sleep, your internal systems will work extra hard to repair your tissues. Plus, the airflow blockage leads to less oxygen entering your organs, which can cause a host of other problems, including the following concerns.

  • A lack of sleep can cause migraines and severe headaches. 
  • Chronic fatigue and tiredness during the day lead to memory loss, difficulty concentrating, and drowsiness. This is extremely dangerous when operating machinery or vehicles. 
  • Over time, loss of sleep and oxygen can affect your cardiovascular system. This includes heart conditions as well as high blood pressure. 
  • Increases your risk of cancer. 
  • Due to increased stress during sleep and waking hours, bruxism (teeth grinding) and TMJ disorder often develop from sleep apnea. 

If you notice daytime fatigue, snoring, or other symptoms, then don’t hesitate to contact us before matters get worse. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Rosen in Wilmington by calling us at (302) 994-0979.

A Better Treatment

In the past, the only treatment for sleep apnea was a loud, uncomfortable CPAP machine. Because of this, many individuals turned down treatment or decided to forego diagnosis. Nowadays, CPAP machines are much quieter and more comfortable. 

Additionally, Dr. Rosen can fit you with an oral appliance instead if it’s better for your lifestyle. With an oral appliance, you can rest easy with your mouth and airway opened at the exact angle you need. 

Sleep Apnea in Wilmington, Delaware

Alleviate your symptoms of sleep apnea and start leading a better life with treatment. In order to start your journey, give Dr. Rosen a call at (302) 994-0979 to set up a sleep apnea consultation.