If your 2017 was plagued by difficulty going to sleep, then start off 2018 right by seeing a dentist to see if you suffer from sleep apnea in Cornelius, NC. There are numerous sleeping disorders that can impact the quality of your sleep, so it is important to not rule any of them out. A dental professional can help you go to sleep more easily so that you do not feel fatigued throughout 2018.

Main Causes

This sleeping disorder has different variations. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the muscles in the throat prevent the individual from breathing correctly while asleep. It most often occurs in people who are overweight, have a thick neck circumference or have a history of using tobacco. Central apnea tends to be more genetic in nature. It occurs when the brain is incapable of sending the right signals to the breathing muscles.

Primary Symptoms

In addition to feeling fatigued during the day, there are many other symptoms indicating you woke up periodically throughout the night. Some of the most common include:

• Extremely loud snoring
• Constant sore throat or dry mouth
• Morning headaches
• Difficulty concentrating
• Hypersomnia or insomnia

Only one of these symptoms may not be enough to indicate the presence of sleep apnea. However, a combination of symptoms more definitively points to the person having breathing problems while sleeping.

Treatment Options

Our dentists in Cornelius, NC, Dr. White and Dr. Haines, will need to conduct a nocturnal polysomnography to determine what your sleeping patterns are like when you are asleep. However, at-home tests may be possible depending on the person’s comfort. In the event the person is diagnosed with the sleeping disorder, he or she will most likely be prescribed an oral apparatus or continuous positive airway pressure machine to open the airways at night. In extreme circumstances, surgery may be necessary.

Expert Care

Schedule an appointment at the office of Dr. Steven White and Dr. Brad Haines by calling (704) 274-1561 or scheduling an appointment online if you have suffered from sleeping problems for a while now. One appointment could completely change how well you sleep going into 2018.