A wide range of factors can cause snoring, from blocked airways due to illness to lost muscle tone in the throat due to aging. However, consistent snoring and waking up feeling as if you hardly slept at all can be the sign of an underlying sleep disorder such as sleep apnea. As awareness of this growing health concern has increased, more patients are being successfully diagnosed and treated for a greatly improved quality of life Cherry Creek Dentist - Dr. Joshua Peter works with patients to evaluate both oral and overall health to determine the cause of snoring or other related symptoms.

There are two main types of sleep apnea, central and obstructive (OSA). The latter has been widely recognized as a growing health concern, especially for those at greater risk due to a genetic or lifestyle predisposition for this type of sleep disorder. Understanding your risk and the common signs of OSA can play an important role in proper diagnosis and treatment to avoid associated health risks.

" We can talk about my personal experience with Sleep apnea and how being able to breath right has helped me ". - Dr. Peter.

Anyone can develop a sleep disorder such as sleep apnea, including young children. However, there are certain factors that greatly increase your risk and affect your overall health:

• Males, especially over the age of 50
• Being overweight or obese
• Having a large neck circumference
• Smokers and those using tobacco
• Being diabetic or having high blood pressure

In addition to exacerbating existing health issues such as hypertension and diabetes, sleep apnea also increases your risk for:

• Stroke
• Heart Attack
• Chronic Acid Reflux (Dr. Peter can easily see indications of this during his examination with people due to the harmful effects of acid on teeth)
• Dementia
• Erectile Dysfunction
• Death

Treatment for sleep apnea, or OSA, has traditionally been the CPAP machine. While highly effective at treating sleep apnea, patients are less likely to use it consistently due to the inconvenience and discomfort of the machine. Oral appliance therapy enjoys much greater compliance among patients and can reduce both symptoms and associated health risks with consistent use. We will consult with your physician to see which mode of treatment would be best for you.

Recognizing both risk factors and the common signs of OSA may be life saving. These include:

• Snoring or gasping for air
• Feeling sleepy or drowsy during the day
• Waking up with a dry mouth
• Moodiness and irritability
• Difficulty concentrating

If you consistently experience any of these common symptoms, come in for a consultation with Dr. Peter.