What Are the Side Effects of Sleep Loss?
It’s no secret that a lack of sleep at night can cause you to feel fatigued, groggy, irritable, and/or simply disinterested in your task(s) at hand the following day. While these symptoms of sleep loss are certainly unwanted, you know that by getting a good night’s sleep the next night or two, you’ll likely be back to feeling like your normal self.
But what happens when sleep deprivation isn’t limited to just a single night here and there? What if your sleep is interrupted on a regular basis by issues such as snoring and/or sleep apnea? Unfortunately, chronic sleep loss can lead to a number of serious—and in some cases, potentially life-threatening—concerns and/or health conditions. These can include (but are not limited to):
- Forgetfulness and memory loss
- Weight gain and/or obesity
- Anxiety and/or depression
- Diminished libido
- Diabetes
- Stroke
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Sudden cardiac arrest
If you are experiencing a lack of sleep on a regular basis and think it may be attributed to snoring or sleep apnea, we encourage you to schedule a visit at Dental Professionals of Fair Lawn. One of our experienced dentists can assess your situation, and if they suspect you might be suffering from sleep apnea, they can refer you to a trusted medical professional that our practice works with to get started on a sleep study.
In the event you are diagnosed with sleep apnea after the study is complete, you can return to our practice to have an oral sleep appliance custom-designed and fabricated to fit comfortably in your mouth as you sleep. Throughout the night, this oral sleep appliance works to facilitate better airflow through breathing passages by keeping your airways open, ultimately leading to a healthier, more restful night’s sleep. If it is determined that sleep apnea is not the issue but you still wish to correct a habit of snoring, our team is also able to create a customized snore guard that works similarly to reduce the occurrence of snoring throughout the night.
For more information about the effects of sleep loss, or if you are interested in a potential treatment for sleep apnea and/or snoring, please don’t hesitate to contact our practice online or by phone today.
