Do you feel fatigued during the day, even though you believe
you’re getting a good night’s rest? Does your sleeping partner complain that
he/she can’t sleep because of your excessive snoring? Although obstructive
sleep apnea is often marked by periods of severely loud snoring, many patients
don’t realize they suffer from the sleep disorder unless someone else tells
them, or until mysterious symptoms of sleep deprivation become present. Your Grand
Prairie dentist, Dr. Quinn Smith, explores the phenomenon of extreme
snoring and why you should worry if it indicates obstructive sleep apnea.
Exploring Snoring
Have you ever wondered what snoring is, exactly? When you
sleep at night, your mouth and throat tissues relax and can collapse into your
airway. As the space grows smaller, the air squeezing between the tissues
causes them to vibrate loudly, like air squeezing through the pinched opening
of a slowly-deflating balloon. The inhibited breaths can lead to a decrease in
oxygenated blood flow, and in extreme cases, the tissues can completely blockyour airway and force you to stop breathing.
What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea describes a condition where your
oral tissues impede your breathing process, forcing your body to wake up
slightly and regain its breath. As your airway closes, snoring grows louder
until it stops along with your breathing. After a moment, your mind panics from
the lack of oxygen, waking your body enough to breathe but not enough to
consciously rouse you. Though you’re unaware of the episodes, they can occur
hundreds of times a night and deprive your mind and body of necessary deep sleep.
ABOUT YOUR GRAND PRAIRIE DENTIST:
Dr. Quinn Smith is a well-respected and highly experienced
general, restorative, and family dentist in Grand Prairie, TX. He takes a
patient-first approach that starts from the moment patients enter our Pecan Tree Dental office, and he
offers a three-year guarantee on all dental work that he performs. Whether you
and your family are new or returning patients, you can schedule a consultation
or your next appointment with Dr. Smith by contacting
us at (972) 262-5111.
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