Tupelo, MS - Dr. John Kenney "Your Dental Health" Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea occurs when your breathing is interrupted in your sleep. This common yet dangerous condition’s most common side effect is snoring, though not all people who snore have sleep apnea. There are 2 types of sleep apnea: obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the tissue at the back of the throat closes during sleep; while central sleep apnea occurs when the brain fails to trigger your muscles to breathe. If left untreated, sleep apnea can result in:
high blood pressure
stroke
irregular heartbeat or heart attack
diabetes
or depression
Sleep apnea can be treated by adjusting your sleep habits, continuous air pressure (or CPAP), and other oral devices.. If the sleep apnea persists, surgery is also an option. Your doctor and dentist can work together to find the treatment that is best for you.