Signs & Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

A good night’s rest is important to one’s overall health. However, how do you know if you’re really getting a good night’s rest? There are more than 200,000 cases of sleep apnea in the US per year, affecting all ages and genders. Carondelet Park Dental Care in St. Louis, MO is a comprehensive dental office that provides sleep apnea studies, which help you get the treatment you need.

Signs and Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which there are pauses in breath while you sleep. These instances can occur 30 or more times during your usual sleep schedule. These pauses are usually accompanied by a choking sound or snore.

Although it’s necessary for a sleep physician to diagnose sleep apnea, there are some symptoms that may tip you off to this condition. If you have a sleeping partner and they have expressed that you have been snoring loudly or have gasping sounds as you sleep, you may have sleep apnea. Some other symptoms and signs include:

-          Short awakenings that occur when there is a shortness of breath (which you may not always remember)

-          Dry mouth or sore throat

-          Insonmia

-          Daytime sleepiness

-          Irritability

-          Morning headaches

If you feel that you’ve always had loud snoring, or you notice that you have been continuously fatigued, irritable, or sleepy during the day, there is no trouble with speaking to your doctor about your sleeping patterns, especially if their accompanied with shortness of breath or silence.

Our Dentists and Sleep Apnea

Drs. Marc and Greg Boivin of Carondelet Park Dental Care can provide a take-home sleep study to help detect sleep apnea symptoms, such as snoring. After analyzing the results, our St. Louis dentists can refer you to a sleep physician for further diagnosis and treatment. As dentists who have experience with related problems such as teeth grinding or TMJ, Drs. Boivin and Boivin can help treat your sleep apnea condition with oral appliances.

Contact Us Today!

Do not take chances with snoring — if you suspect you have sleep apnea, it is imperative to seek diagnosis and treatment immediately. Not only can prompt treatment save your life, but it can also improve your sleep quality and overall health. Call Carondelet Park Dental Care today to schedule your sleep study appointment — Drs. Boivin and Boivin are here to serve your health needs!