Effects of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is characterized by periods of breathing cessation that occur repetitiously throughout the night. This interferes with your body’s ability to receive adequate oxygen, which has negative effects on your health and well-being. Sleep apnea treatment from a qualified professional can provide relief from these effects, and reduces your risks of experiencing serious health consequences. As a board-eligible member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, Dr. Melody Stampe has the advanced expertise and training to guide you in the management of sleep apnea. She works closely with other dentists, physicians, and specialists to minimize the connections between sleep apnea and your health in our Richardson, TX dental office and help you enjoy a better night’s sleep.
Health Risks
Untreated sleep apnea poses serious health concerns, which is why early diagnosis and treatment are so important. Any symptom of sleep apnea should be taken seriously. Even snoring is not something to be taken lightly. Though frequently considered a harmless, annoying habit, snoring often indicates the presence of sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea increases your risk for:
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Type II Diabetes
- Depression
- Migraines
- Dementia
- Accidents (due to fatigue and decreased response time)
Stages of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is diagnosed by a physician following a lab-conducted or home-based sleep study. The extent of your condition dictates the type of treatment that is recommended. Once your sleep apnea condition is confirmed, Dr. Stampe recommends the ideal course of action for your severity of sleep apnea. The condition is categorized into stages, based on the number of times an individual stops breathing or experiences reduced air intake during sleep.
Mild Sleep Apnea
Patient experiences around 5 to 14 episodes of breathing disruption within each hour of sleep.
Moderate Sleep Apnea
Breathing disruption occurs around 15 to 29 times within each hour of sleep.
Severe Sleep Apnea
Air intake stops or is reduced more than 30 times within each hour of sleep.
