Covington Sleep Center Blog

Sleep apnea doesn’t just leave you feeling exhausted during the day; it affects your entire body in a variety of ways. In many cases, the lack of quality sleep can take its toll on your cognitive health, leading to memory problems over time. It’s important to be aware of the impact sleep apnea can have on your brain as well as what you can do to ensure that you get a good night’s rest.

If you have sleep apnea, the first thing you probably think about when pondering your condition is the effect that it has on your sleep—but what about the effect it has on your loved ones? One of the most common symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea is snoring, which needless to say, can disrupt your partner’s sleep! On top of that, another possible casualty of sleep apnea is physical intimacy. Keep reading to learn more from your sleep dentist in Covington about the negative impact that sleep apnea can have on relationships, along with some ways that the condition can be managed.

Getting a good night’s rest can be challenging if you have untreated sleep apnea. Contrary to common belief, it’s more than just loud snoring. There are 3 types of sleep apnea, but the most prevalent form is caused by an obstruction in the upper airway from the soft tissues in the back of the mouth collapsing. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can increase your risk of potentially deadly health complications, but signs of the breathing disorder can be difficult to detect. Believe it or not, sleep apnea nightmares are real. Your bad dreams may be a sign of something more than an overactive subconscious mind.

(more…)

If your physician suspects you have sleep apnea, you’ll need a sleep test for a diagnosis. You’ll be referred to a sleep center, where you’ll be monitored during the night to detect any abnormalities with your breathing, as well as other information, like your sleep cycle. Don’t worry if you’re nervous about spending the night in an unfamiliar bed. Here are 5 tips to help you prepare for your upcoming sleep study.

(more…)

Every night, millions of people miss out on countless hours of sleep because of sleep apnea—and even worse, many more cases go completely undiagnosed! But sleep apnea is a serious condition that can lead to severe health consequences if left to progress, and professional treatment is often one of the best ways to mitigate its symptoms. That said, your diet can also heavily impact your sleep apnea! Here’s more from your sleep dentist about this connection and what foods you should and shouldn’t eat to help with your symptoms.

If you have sleep apnea, you know firsthand a good night’s rest can be difficult to come by. Each disruption in your breathing jolts you awake, interrupting your sleep cycle. Every phase of sleeping is vital for your health and wellness, as well as how you feel throughout the day. Sleep apnea therapy can stop pauses in breathing, so you can start your morning feeling alert and well-rested by completing each stage of the sleep cycle. Here’s how each phase affects your overall quality of life.

(more…)

Every night, millions of Americans miss out on countless hours of sleep because of sleep apnea; and even worse, many more cases go completely undiagnosed! But there are actually several factors that influence sleep apnea, and some things that might seem totally unrelated can make your condition much worse. One of these things is your cell phone! Here’s more from your dentist about how your phone can actually affect and worsen your sleep apnea, along with some tips for reducing its impact and getting back to bed.

Smoking isn’t good for your health or those around you, including your child. Research has found that inhaling smoke can lead to asthma attacks, respiratory infections, and ear infections, but those aren’t the only concerns. A recent study has found that secondhand smoke can lead to sleep apnea in children, a condition that causes frequent interruptions in breathing while sleeping. 

(more…)

Here’s a surprising statistic that you probably aren’t expecting from your dentist – more than one-third of American adults are obese, while 32 percent are overweight. There are a number of health ramifications related to these stats, and if you are part of either of these groups, your sleep dentist is most concerned with the implications it has for how well you rest at night. Keep reading to learn about the link between weight gain and sleep apnea and how it might be affecting you. 

It’s easy to follow your sleep apnea regime at home, but it can be more difficult to commit to your treatment when you are traveling. If you are worried about inconvenience or embarrassment because of your CPAP, don’t leave your machine at home. Here are 4 tips to make traveling with sleep apnea stress-free.

(more…)