At some point in life, whether as a child, teenager, or adult, we have all heard someone snore in their sleep.  Many of us have probably had a good laugh at the snorer’s expense, taken embarrassing videos to show them later, or maybe even jostled the person awake just to tell them to stop.  While a little snoring is often quite comical, excessive snoring, gasps or chokes, or pauses in breathing during sleep are a very serious issue.  In fact, there are many health problems associated with sleep apnea, if left untreated.

While snoring is almost always comedy worthy, high blood pressure is no laughing matter.  People who suffer from sleep apnea are often restless sleepers and find themselves waking up numerous times throughout the night.  This constant sleep interruption causes a person’s hormones to skyrocket, which leads to high blood pressure.  Somehow, excessive snoring doesn’t seem that funny anymore, does it?

“Hello 9-1-1, I think my spouse/sibling/parent/child/friend is having a heart attack.” That is one phone call that no one wants to make; however, people suffering from sleep apnea run a greater risk of having a heart attack during the night.  The stress of not being able to sleep, along with lack of oxygen and blood flow to arteries and the brain, set the perfect stage for a heart attack.  Similarly, sleep apnea affects the rhythm of a person’s heartbeat, also known at atrial fibrillation.  Snoring may be funny, but a heart attack is not a moment you want to capture on video to embarrass a loved one later.

High blood pressure and heart disease are just two of the many serious medical problems related to sleep apnea. Sufferers of sleep apnea are also at risk of experiencing glucose intolerance, obesity, impotence, acid reflux, and other diseases. But the good news is that sleep apnea is treatable! Here at Foley Dental Group, we offer our patients treatment options. Just call us to make an appointment if you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea and are unhappy with your current treatment or are not seeking treatment at all. We can also help those who have not received a diagnosis of sleep apnea but think they might have it.

Sleep apnea is the most dangerous when it goes undetected.  Let us help you take the necessary precautions to guarantee a better and safer night’s sleep. Call us at (618) 288-9670 or visit our website today at www.foleydentalgroup.com to learn more about sleep apnea or to request an appointment!