Snoring can be embarrassing. It can be mild and infrequent for some, but for others, the unconscious noisy breathing happens every time they sleep and disturb their partner or even other people in nearby rooms. Snoring may even force couples to sleep in separate beds because of how unbearably loud it can be.

Study shows obstructive sleep apnea is associated with increased risk of stroke

More than being an embarrassing trait, snoring can actually be dangerous for the person who has it. In particular, if you always snore and you do so loudly, it might mean that your tongue or the soft tissue at the back of your throat relaxes and obstructs your airways while you sleep. Especially when you’re lying flat on your back, the obstruction causes your windpipe to become narrower, which means your breathing is not optimal when you snore.

There are even worse scenarios where the blockage causes your breathing to stop for a period, a condition called obstructive sleep apnea. Your breathing can pause for 10-20 seconds up to hundreds of times, which interrupts your sleep cycle and jolts you awake. You often catch yourself gasping or choking during those interruptions but typically won’t remember the episodes.

The lack of sleep or irregular sleep patterns from snoring or sleep apnea can drain your energy and cause you to develop signs of sleep deprivation, including headaches, difficulty learning or focusing on tasks, and mood or personality changes. A study by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine also shows that obstructive sleep apnea can heighten your risk of developing stroke and cancer, so it would be ideal to receive treatment for it once you become aware of your condition.

Seeking a Dentist for Help

These sleep disorders may initially be managed with lifestyle and sleep hygiene changes and need medical attention (a CPAP device may be recommended). If these treatments don’t work, you can turn to a general dentist in Greenwood, Indiana to explore other options. A professional trained in snoring and sleep apnea treatments can fit and customize a dental sleep appliance for your condition.

An experienced dentist in Greenwood, IN like Dr. Richard Gillum of Gillum Dentistry can make the treatment even more sensitive to your lifestyle. The professional uses a revolutionary oral appliance (the SomnoDent MAS), which is only worn when you sleep and is discreet when you wear it. Your partner (or even that stranger beside you on the plane) won’t even know you’re wearing one, and it can be effective in getting your noisy, health-destructive problem under control.

(Source: Study shows obstructive sleep apnea is associated with increased risk of stroke, cancer and death, News Medical)