We talk a lot about when to see us for treatment, and we regularly go over how custom-made sleep solutions helps stop obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). But what if you have sleep apnea and don’t seek treatment? Without care, OSA could lead to serious complications for your overall health. In today’s blog, we’re looking at why our Spring and Pearland, TX, patients should seek treatment.
Short Term Complications
An apneic episode means we stop breathing as soft tissues in our throat and mouth become too relaxed, collapsing and blocking our airflow. The brain then wakes up, but we rarely, if ever, remember being woken up. We continue to “sleep” without every gaining the deep, uninterrupted rest we need to function. As a result, people need to feel tired throughout the day, experience mood swings, fall asleep often, having trouble staying awake behind the wheel when driving, and have trouble concentrating on tasks at work or school. Memory issues may often develop as a result of chronic sleep deprivation.
Long Term Negative Impacts
As our sleep continues to worsen, so will our health. Patients suffering from untreated sleep apnea often report headaches, dry mouth when waking up, sore throat, heart burn and acid reflux, and more frequent illnesses. Lack of sleep also strains your cardiovascular system, increasing the risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, heart failure, heat disease, and stroke. Many also report struggling with depression and other mental health issues. So you see, lack of proper rest impacts us in a number of negative ways, in the short and long-term!
Signs You Should See Us
If any of the warning signs above sound familiar, or if you also experience chronic snoring and episodes of waking suddenly gasping for air or choking then see us right away. We will use a unique and comfortable at-home sleep test to assess your risk. From there, we can decide if you need treatment. Instead of an uncomfortable CPAP mask and machine, we offer a custom-made oral appliance. The device will look similar to a nightguard, but helps keep airways open by repositioning the jaw. Patients then sleep without interruption, gaining the deep rest needed to stay alert during the day. If you have any questions about treating OSA, or if you think you need to undergo our home sleep test, then contact our team today.
Ready to Discuss OSA Treatment?
If you have trouble sleeping, then talk to our team about possible solutions, such as a custom-made sleep appliance. To learn more about our personalized appliance options, then please call Houston Sleep Solutions in Spring, TX, at (281) 320-2000, or in Pearland, TX, at (832) 564-3508.
