A good night’s sleep plays a huge role in maintaining your physical and mental health. That’s why not getting the quality rest you need can make it difficult to stay awake during the day, while also putting you at risk of developing serious health issues. While not often talked about, sleep deprivation is more common than you’d think. In fact, over 50 million adults in the U.S. suffer from some type of sleep disorder such as snoring or obstructive sleep apnea.
Fortunately, at Bay Area Sleep Solutions & Pain Center, our Santa Clara, CA sleep specialist, Dr. Pooja Goel, has the treatment to help you achieve the peaceful rest you deserve.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder caused when your throat muscles relax and block your airway. This causes your breathing to become disrupted and also forces you to wake up during the night to gasp for air. If not treated as soon as possible, sleep apnea can gradually wreak havoc on your body and mental health by causing complications including hypertension, depression, anxiety, diabetes, and more.
It’s important to note that most people who struggle with their sleep never consider the possibility of having OSA. That’s why scheduling an appointment with Dr. Goel at her Santa Clara, CA practice is the first step to receiving a concrete diagnosis and effective treatment solutions.
There are numerous sleep apnea causes and symptoms that can impact your quality of sleep. Common risks for the sleep disorder include:
Sleep apnea does more than just interfere with your sleep. In fact, it can lead to a wide range of consequences for your health such as:
The first step towards getting the treatment you need is undergoing a sleep study with a qualified physician in order to receive a proper sleep apnea diagnosis. The test is typically done overnight at a sleep facility and will help determine the exact cause and severity of your sleep disorder. This information will give Dr. Goel insight into what treatment will work best while also recommending certain lifestyle changes or adjustments.
Most patients think that the only way to treat sleep apnea is through bulky, noisy, CPAP machines, which blast oxygen into your airway through a mask. Fortunately, at Bay Area Sleep Solutions & Pain Center, Dr. Goel can treat your sleep apnea with oral appliance therapy. These custom mouthguards work by gently shifting your jaw forward to help prevent your airway from collapsing. Unlike CPAP, oral appliances are non-intrusive and quiet.
Untreated sleep apnea can negatively affect various aspects of your everyday life. For many people, weight gain is a common physical side-effect as well as certain mental health issues like ADHD. In some cases, patients report that their relationships are also impacted by sleep apnea as well, whether they share a bed with their partner or have family who can hear them.
The health effects of sleep apnea can range greatly. That’s why it’s necessary for Dr. Goel to identify the problem and start administering effective treatment.
Sleep apnea likely won’t go away on its own unless treated by experts like Dr. Goel. If left untreated, sleep apnea can severely impact your mental wellness, with the consequences being potentially life-threatening. Some of these complications include anxiety, depression, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, anxiety, decreased libido, and more.
Constant interruptions with your REM cycle can cause a chemical imbalance in your brain, causing irritability and difficulty in processing emotions. When left untreated, this can also contribute to developing depression and anxiety. Fortunately, oral appliance therapy is designed to boost your mental health by giving your brain the quality rest it needs during the night.
Anxiety and stress-related disorders can cause a person to develop sleep apnea patterns. Additionally, repeatedly being jarred out of sleep because you’re trying to gasp for air can also further complicate already-existing issues such as memory performance, headaches, feeling fatigued, and lack of motivation during the day. If you continue to struggle with persistent nightmares, stress, or other issues, it’s important to seek treatment.
Your medical insurance should cover the cost of oral appliance therapy since it’s being used to treat your sleep apnea. Still, we recommend that you contact your insurance company to get a better understanding of your coverage and benefits. That way, your treatment will be more affordable and accessible, allowing you to get a peaceful, worry-free sleep.
Not getting the sleep you need can impact your overall quality of life. That’s why it’s important to seek treatment so that you can recharge throughout the night. At Bay Area Sleep Solutions & Pain Center, our expert team will work with you and your unique needs to develop the treatment you need with custom-made, non-intrusive oral appliances.
Achieve the restful sleep you deserve today! Schedule a consultation today by calling our Santa Clara, CA office at (408) 549-1602. You can also fill out our convenient contact form. We also serve people who reside in Campbell, North San Jose, Fruitdale, and Robertsville, CA.
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