Sleep apnea is a very serious medical condition characterized by stoppages in your breathing while you sleep. People who suffer from sleep apnea will stop breathing, sometimes for up to several seconds, multiple times throughout the night. People with sleep apnea are often unaware that they have this condition, and it is often the person's partner who notices that their breathing stops intermittently throughout the night. Though the sufferer is not aware that he or she has this disorder, it is very serious nonetheless. Chronic snorers very often suffer from sleep apnea as the two are closely related.

Sleep apnea is caused by a collapse in the soft tissue in your throat and tongue, which creates a blockage in your air passage. These periods of stoppage in breathing restrict the oxygen traveling to your heart and brain.

Sleep apnea may result in:

• High blood pressure
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Digestive problems
• Mood swings
• Fatigue during the day
• Diabetes

The most common type of sleep apnea is known as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA); it is estimated that several million people suffer from sleep apnea in the United States. While this is a very serious medical disorder, a highly trained dentist with experience in sleep apnea and snoring treatments can accurately diagnose and treat the condition and provide you with much more restful nights of sleep.

If you think you or your partner suffers from sleep apnea, please contact Laurel Lakes Cosmetic Dentistry in Laurel, Maryland to schedule a sleep apnea consultation.