Dangers of Sleep Apnea – Midland, TX

Avoiding Serious Problems with Timely and Proper Treatment

Sleep apnea in Midland is a serious disorder that can make life much more difficult without proper treatment. You might think in the beginning that a few restless nights of sleep and your partner’s complaints of your loud snoring will go away in time; however, this is not likely the case. Instead, you may be faced with increasing health problems that can result in everything from high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, and even sudden death. Dr. Laura Philipps and her team of experts want to catch these symptoms early on if at all possible, which is why seeking professional health from the start is the best course of action. To determine if you have sleep apnea, give us a call today and let us help you achieve a healthier way of life.

A young male with a beard lying on his back and breathing with his mouth open, which is a clear sign of sleep apnea in Midland

What Are the Health Risks Associated with Sleep Apnea?

A man clutching his chest because he is experiencing a heart attack

Fatigue, headaches, irritability, and forgetfulness aren’t the worse things that can happen when suffering from sleep apnea. In fact, your body is likely just beginning to experience the negative effects that can come with this disorder, but without proper treatment, you can’t expect things to get better. Instead, your health and well-being will likely decline much quicker. Not to mention the impact inadequate sleep can have on your personal and professional relationships.

Each time you stop breathing throughout the night, your brain and body must work together to alert you to the need to breathe. Because this can happen hundreds of times each night, your heart rate and blood pressure will go up and down much like a rollercoaster. As this continues, you are putting yourself at a greater risk for a heart attack or stroke. Over time, you may begin to notice a decline in your cognitive ability, too. The reality is that sleep apnea is closely linked to neurological disorders like Dementia and Alzheimer’s and can also wreak havoc on your cardiovascular system.

Signs and Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

A man lying awake at night as a result of his insomnia

Whether you live alone and are beginning to wonder if you are suffering from sleep apnea or your partner is beginning to express concerns regarding your sleeping and breathing happens at night, here are some of the most common symptoms associated with this common disorder:

Loud snoring
Chronic fatigue
Mouth breathing
Irritability/moodiness
Frequent headaches
Loss of libido
Forgetfulness
Gasping or choking for air when waking throughout the night
Insomnia
Dry mouth and/or sore throat

How Dr. Philipps Can Help

An older woman wearing a pale pink blouse and smiling after receiving treatment from a sleep dentist

By choosing Dr. Philipps to help improve your sleeping and breathing patterns, you are taking a step in the right direction. Especially when dealing with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), it’s vital to seek the right professional and the proper method of treatment to ensure you no longer experience severe symptoms that can become detrimental to your overall health.

Dr. Philipps offers a sleep care program that not only diagnoses sleep apnea but also provides the right form of treatment. Using an at-home test and screening, she will examine your results before building a comprehensive program designed around your individual needs. Taking all the available information, she will determine which type of oral appliance will be comfortable for you to wear and ensure you experience no obstructions throughout the night, allowing your airway to remain open while sleeping.