Posted: December 14, 2021
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition impacting millions of people throughout the world. The condition is marked by periods of breathing cessation while sleeping and is often accompanied by loud snoring, relentless movement while sleeping, and other issues that may be brought to your attention by a partner. People who sleep alone may not know they have the condition – a factor, no doubt, in this shocking statistic: 90% of people with OSA do not know they have it.
Daytime symptoms of OSA may include waking with a dry mouth or sore throat, excessive daytime fatigue, and frequent morning headaches. Mood swings, memory loss, and problems concentrating may all be symptoms of sleep apnea as well. And, as new research suggests, so too might vivid nightmares involving the breath.
A recent study has found that recurring nightmares involving an inability to breathe may be a subconscious response to the periods of breath cessation that occur in people with OSA. The physiological experience of not breathing may influence dreams to include things like choking, being lost in space, or drowning. When these dreams occur with regularity, it is important to try and understand their source.
We can help.
Diagnosing and Treating Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is diagnosed through a sleep test that can be performed at home. If your test indicates that you are suffering from OSA, we can discuss treatment options that may work to keep airways open while you sleep and help to prevent breath cessation in people with OSA.
We offer comfortable oral devices that hold soft tissue in place while you sleep. This helps to prevent obstruction and can work to reduce risks for some of the serious illnesses and diseases, including heart attack and type 2 diabetes, which are linked to untreated sleep apnea.
At Evolution Dental, we are committed to helping our patients achieve the most pleasing results through individualized care and personalized treatment options. If you suspect you are suffering from OSA, we encourage you to call our Calgary office at 403-208-9965 to schedule your sleep apnea evaluation right away.
