5 Myths That Prove You May Need Sleep Apnea Treatment

Did you know that sleep apnea is one of the most common disorders that cause breathing interruptions? Yeah, that’s right. Dangerous pauses in breathing!

Many patients don’t know the extent that sleep apnea may affect their health. In fact, the symptoms of this threatening disorder could be shrugged off because of these myths. Let’s explore these rumors so that more patients can receive the sleep apnea treatment they need to stay healthy!

Myths About Sleep Apnea

1.     Sleep apnea is just annoying snoring.

Well, there may be one fact in that statement that can reign true, snoring can be a bit annoying to the partner you sleep next to. But sleep apnea is much more than that snoring or choking sound. In fact, there’s a big difference between the two. Each time one of those awkward sounds blurt out, it’s your body restarting your breathing after taking a pause because of your sleeping disorder.

2.     Sleep apnea isn’t serious problem.

Patients that are living with sleep apnea are susceptible to dangerous after-effects. Since your body isn’t receiving the sleep you need, you’ll most likely feel extremely fatigued, depressed, and trouble concentrating. This leads to a higher risk for motor vehicle accidents, hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, and even strokes!

3.     Only older patients can develop sleep apnea.

This is simply false. Health professionals all overestimate that more than 18 million Americans actually have sleep apnea. Yes, as you become older you are more susceptible to develop this condition, but it can affect people at any age. You may be a high-risk sleep apnea patient is you’re overweight, a man (because your neck circumference is larger than a woman, which affects your breathing passageway), African-American, or Latino.

4.     Alcohol will help you sleep more peacefully.

That drowsy, relaxed feeling when you sip on an alcoholic beverage actually doesn’t help your natural sleeping patterns. In fact, alcohol relaxes the muscles in the back of your throat. That makes it easier for the airway to become blocked for patients with sleep apnea.

5.     Surgery is the best way to permanently fix sleep apnea.

There are some cases of sleep apnea where the body parts in someone’s mouth may actually be causing their sleep apnea. But in most cases, patients don’t need to undergo surgery to correct their sleeping problem.

What’s the best way to help correct obstructive sleep apnea?

Many patients have found relief from a snoring treatment in Weatherford. A customized oral appliance is one of the most effective ways to help someone improve their sleep and stop their snoring. Oral appliances provide:

• A custom fit that offers a comfortable option for snoring relief.
• A long-lasting solution when cared for properly.
• A peaceful night of sleep for the patient and their partner.

Those are just a few reasons why you may find an oral appliance to be helpful. If you would like more information on how to treat your sleep apnea, reach out to your local sleep dentist.

About the Doctor

Sleep apnea is a condition that affects the whole body, but starts in the mouth. That’s why it’s best to reach out to a sleep dentist that understands the inner workings and outer workings of your oral structures. Since 2005, Dr. Deborah Romack has attended numerous continuing education courses that address airway obstruction, snoring, and OSA. If you need to speak to a professional, Dr. Romack is the best sleep dentist to call!