St. Augustine, FL
Gains is a buzzword related to fitness and most often associated with getting healthier by putting on muscle mass. Health advisers and influencers alike share workout routines and food prep ideas to help you slay your fitness goals, but there is one thing that you could be missing. Quality sleep. Snoring is a common cause of poor sleep quality and is associated with obstructive sleep apnea, which is a sleep-breathing disorder that affects sleep quality and blood oxygenation levels. Ultimately, these two factors are vital for overall health and daily function and have a huge impact on your workout progress and gains. So today on the blog, our sleep apnea dentist in St. Augustine at Palencia Dental shares the seriousness behind snoring and easy treatment that doesn’t involve wearing a CPAP while you sleep.
What does it mean if I snore?
Snoring is one of the most common symptoms of sleep apnea, although it is possible to have sleep apnea even if you don’t snore. Snoring is caused by soft tissue blocking your airway and it means that you aren’t getting enough air. As a result, the deepest stage of the sleep cycle known as REM sleep is disrupted. You probably aren’t aware of this happening, even though it can occur dozens of times per hour. Fitness and health experts agree that quality sleep is necessary to see results from working out. If you aren’t sleeping well or don’t sleep enough hours each night, your muscles won’t recover, which slows or halts your progress. But there are other serious health consequences of ignoring your snoring. Untreated sleep apnea can also lead to an increased risk of heart disease (yes, even if you work out), stroke, insulin resistance, and Alzheimer’s, which are exactly the kinds of things that you’re hoping to avoid if you are a health-conscious person.
Could I have sleep apnea even if I don’t snore?
Yes, there are other sleep apnea symptoms. You should talk to a St. Augustine sleep apnea dentist if you experience any of them. Unless you have a sleep partner or a roommate that hears your snoring, you may be unaware that you snore. Therefore, you should keep an eye out for these other sleep apnea symptoms including:
- Daytime fatigue
- Difficulty losing weight
- Weight gain
- Low energy
- Difficulty concentrating
- Feeling restless while sleeping
- Hypertension or high blood pressure
- Frequently waking with a headache, sore throat, or nasal congestion
How can the dentist help manage sleep apnea?
For years, managing sleep apnea meant wearing a mask attached to a CPAP machine while sleeping. This treatment is effective, but many patients are non-compliant because the mask is uncomfortable to wear and the machine is rather noisy, among other complaints. The good news is that Dr. Stephanie Kinsey at Palencia Dental offers a simple and comfortable solution to manage your sleep apnea and reduce snoring. A custom oral appliance can be made that slightly adjusts your lower jaw, which helps open your airway and can help you sleep better without snoring. Additionally, you should start seeing gains again if snoring was the cause of your stalled workout results.
Sleep Apnea Dentist in St. Augustine and Palm Coast, Florida
The time is now to put an end to sleepless nights so that you can rest better and experience the payoffs of your hard work at the gym or from working out at home. If you’d like to learn more about sleep apnea or find out how to stop snoring in St. Augustine, contact Palencia Dental by calling (904) 474-5444.
