Obstructive sleep apnea is a medical condition which can affect men, women and children.
Symptoms include snoring, fatigue, daytime sleepiness, and morning headaches. In some instances, untreated sleep apnea can lead to difficulty with concentration, mental tasks and memory.
Obstructive sleep apnea is associated with hypertension, cardiovascular disease, strokes and poorly controlled diabetes mellitus.
The most common treatment for sleep apnea is use of a CPAP machine. Although highly effective, it is often not well tolerated. Alternative treatment options include use of an oral appliance, surgery such as uvulopharyngoplasty, and hypoglossal nerve stimulation.
Ask your dentist about being screened for obstructive sleep apnea if you have any of the above symptoms.
