Signs You May Need Sleep Apnea Treatment

Obstructive sleep apnea can cause you to stop breathing up to hundreds of times per night. Not only does this affect your quality of sleep, but it can also be dangerous if left untreated. For this reason, we always recommend that you schedule an appointment with one of our orthodontists in Fort Wayne, IN, and surrounding areas if you suspect you need sleep apnea treatment.

Our orthodontists will most likely refer you to a specialist who will order a sleep apnea test. If the specialist diagnoses you with sleep apnea, we may recommend that you wear an oral appliance at night to help move your jaw forward and keep your airway clear while you sleep.

In the meantime, here are some of the top warning signs you may need a sleep apnea device.

Snoring Loudly at Night

Snoring can be more than just an annoyance to your partner. It can also be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea. If you have a habit of snoring loudly and recognize the other warning signs of sleep apnea, it’s worth scheduling an appointment with one of our orthodontists.

Feeling Chronic Fatigue

Adults need between 7 and 9 hours of sleep per night to get the rest they need. While each person’s sleep needs are different, chronic exhaustion could be a sign of an underlying health issue. If you still feel tired after 9 hours of sleep, you may have obstructive sleep apnea and not even know it.

People with sleep apnea tend to experience daytime sleepiness. This is because they wake up every time they stop breathing in their sleep, but often have no recollection of it ever happening in the morning.

Being Overweight

If you’re carrying extra weight, you have a higher risk of developing sleep apnea. This is because the soft tissue at the back of your throat tends to relax and collapse when you’re asleep. This obstructs your airway and makes it more difficult to sleep at night.

The good news is that we can create a sleep apnea appliance for you to wear while you’re asleep. This appliance works by moving your jaw forward so you can breathe easier.

Being Male

Men are two to three times more likely to have sleep apnea than women. However, women can still get sleep apnea, especially if they’re overweight or have other risk factors. If you have any of the sleep apnea symptoms we describe here, schedule an appointment with one of our orthodontists as soon as possible.

Being Age 50 or Older

Your risk for obstructive sleep apnea increases as you get older.

Having a Thick Neck Circumference

A thicker neck could mean that your airway is narrower than the average person’s. The narrower your airway is, the harder it is for air to move freely through your nose and throat. A thick neck circumference for a woman would be more than 16 inches and for a man, more than 17 inches.

Gasping or Choking During Sleep

Waking up suddenly with a sensation of gasping or choking is a significant sign you may need sleep apnea treatment. This happens when the airway is blocked during sleep, causing breathing to stop temporarily. The brain senses the lack of oxygen and triggers a wake-up response, which often results in gasping, choking, or a feeling of suffocation.

This abrupt awakening can be startling and distressing, interrupting the sleep cycle and preventing deep, restorative sleep. These episodes can occur multiple times throughout the night, leading to chronic fatigue and other health issues due to disrupted sleep patterns and reduced oxygen levels.

Pauses in Breathing

Pauses in breathing during sleep, medically known as apneas, are a critical symptom of sleep apnea. These interruptions in breathing can last from a few seconds to over a minute and may occur dozens or even hundreds of times each night.

During an apnea event, the airway becomes blocked or collapses, preventing air from reaching the lungs. The brain briefly wakes the person up to reopen the airway, often without them being fully aware of it.

Request a Sleep Apnea Consultation

Our orthodontists in Fort Wayne, IN, and surrounding areas are accepting new patients. To schedule an appointment and learn if you’re a candidate for sleep apnea treatment, please call Parrish Orthodontics at (260) 447-2568. You may also fill out our online contact form and someone from our team will reach out to you soon.

This blog post has been updated.