My patients probably get tired of hearing me talk about this but I am constantly amazed at how much better I feel since I started wearing my adjustable sleep appliance. I ACTUALLY SLEEP ALL NIGHT and awake refreshed and ready for the day! Only rarely do wake up needing to go to the bathroom (a side benefit of deep sleep) and best of all, MY WIFE DOESN’T COMPLAIN ABOUT THE WILD BEAR NOISES from my side of the bed.
It’s so nice not to feel like I have to have a nap after lunch and can read or watch TV without “passing out”. I get so much more done in a day without dragging around waiting for bedtime. It’s wonderful.
Lack of sleep is depressing emotionally, mentally and physically. There are several reasons one might not get enough sleep but if it’s due to obstructive sleep apnea, it can be remedied in most cases. I have what’s called moderate sleep apnea, meaning I stop breathing due to airway constriction several times an hour (without my appliance, that is). When you can’t breathe, your blood oxygen level drops and your brain has to wake you out of deep restful sleep in order to “gasp” for a breath. As a consequence, you never get through all the restful deep sleep cycles you need for rest.
This can lead to lots of problems to your health – high blood pressure, diabetes, depression, impotence, etc. Lack of sleep due to obstructive sleep apnea not only affects the quality of your life it can literally shorten it.
The good news is that it is treatable. Patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea have much success being treated with a simple appliance worn while sleeping that keeps you r airway open. If you have severe sleep apnea a CPAP is required in most cases to treat your condition. A sleep study, done by a sleep physician is the only way to determine the needed therapy.
If you snore (or are accused of snoring) or you have daytime sleepiness or you suspect you may not be sleeping well, then find out what the problem is and get help. It can literally change your life.
Dr. Bobby Haney
Waxahachie Family Dentistry and Dental Sleep Medicine
