No matter how old you are, getting the right amount of rest is vital to keeping your body and mind healthy. Proper sleep helps our bodies revitalize and prepare for the fun and challenges that the next day will bring.
This is where sleep apnea can be a real problem. You may be going to bed each night, thinking you’re doing your very best to get enough rest but, if you’ve got sleep apnea, you might be waking up hundreds of times every night — without even knowing it! You wake up tired and struggle with excessive sleepiness all day long. Sleep apnea could very well be to blame and ARCH Orthodontics may be able to help you feel better.
Who’s At Risk For Having Sleep Apnea?
The most common type of this condition is called obstructive sleep apnea. It occurs when there’s something physically blocking your airway, usually collapsed soft tissue in the back of the throat. It’s actually more common than you may think, affecting more than 12 million Americans.
Here are some risk factors facts courtesy of The National Institutes of Health:
- Men are more likely than women to be affected
- Children can have sleep apnea and risk increases with age
- Family history can also increase your risk
- Small airways in the nose, throat, and mouth could lead to sleep apnea
- Enlarged tonsils can lead to sleep apnea, commonly in kids
So many people think sleep apnea solely occurs in adults, but that’s definitely not the case. It’s common in children and adolescents. The presence of sleep apnea can leave them prone to a higher rate of attention-related issues like hyperactivity or ADHD/ADD. Sleep apnea has also been known to cause aggressiveness, trouble focusing on schoolwork, and emotional problems.
How Can ARCH Help With Sleep Apnea?
There are a number of treatments available to help patients find relief from sleep apnea. Your ARCH Orthodontist will work with a trusted sleep specialist to provide a diagnosis. Sometimes very common behavioral changes can make a significant difference, but there are other effective solutions too. It’s important to talk to your ARCH Orthodontist about your symptoms and concerns. We may be able to help correct your sleep apnea with a small oral appliance or bite guard.
If you or your child may be struggling with sleep apnea, it’s important that you take the necessary steps to get relief. Call or stop by any of ARCH Orthodontics’ nine convenient locations in the greater Boston area to find out how we can help you get the sleep you need.
Visit our offices in Bridgewater, Brockton, Randolph, Canton, Westwood, Orleans, Hyannis, Hyde Park, and Stoughton.
