Sleep Apnea causes snoring and most people are aware of this. In fact, many other health issues can occur if you suffer from Sleep Apnea. When you stop breathing, the oxygen levels in your body tell your brain that something is wrong.
More than 38 million adults in the United States snore, but the National Sleep Foundation has discovered that not all snoring is the same. Snoring occasionally can be due to bad sleeping positions or congestion, but habitual snoring is another issue all together.
More than 25 percent of people over the age of 50 deal with Sleep Apnea, which is a double-edged sword if you have issues with your heart, are overweight, or deal with high blood pressure.
Sleep Apnea occurs when there is an air passage obstruction during sleep at the back of the throat. This can happen as little as once or twice an hour or as much as once every sixty seconds. The severe stress that can result during every Sleep Apnea disorder can cause a series of ailments including cardiovascular disease. The repetitive sleep disruptions that occur during the night leave those who suffer with serious health problems including stroke, coronary artery disease, and hypertension.
Recent research has indicated that those who deal with Sleep Apnea are at greater risk of cardiovascular disease. Because the person who has the sleeping disorder stops breathing during an episode it can cause serious heart problems. When the sleep disorder is treated, the risk of a massive heart attack is greatly reduced.
There is also evidence that Sleep Apnea is a contributor when it comes to coronary artery disease. According to the Mayo Clinic, those who are already dealing with coronary artery disease are more apt to have a massive heart attack while they sleep. The risk of a heart attack is reduced if the person seeks help for Sleep Apnea
Other heart problems that could occur from sleeping disorders include atrial fibrillation and abnormal heart beats. Recent studies indicate that people who are treated for Sleep Apnea notice a dramatic improvement decreasing the severity of heart arrhythmia.
Cardiologists have indicated that moderate to severe Sleep Apnea can actually weaken the heart muscle. This affects the pumping ability, which could lead to heart failure. When Sleep Apnea is treated, it can strengthen the heart muscle reducing the risk of congestive heart failure.
People who have high blood pressure have noticed a dramatic improvement after sleep disorder treatment. Hypertension can be helped for those who suffer from moderate or severe sleep apnea. When you stop breathing during sleep your blood pressure will raise, the oxygen levels in your body will fall and the receptors in your brain will be alerted. The brain will respond by sending signals to your nervous system telling your blood vessels to tighten up, as this will increase the oxygen flow to the brain and the heart. Unfortunately high blood pressure that is caused by Sleep Apnea can affect the person when they are awake as the lower levels of oxygen during sleeping hours will trigger mechanisms that will continue throughout the day, even when breathing normally.
Sleep Apnea can also cause anxiety and mood swings virtually affecting every waking and sleeping moment. Because the sufferer is constantly trying to breathe while sleeping, the patient can become fatigued, overwhelmed, and anxious. Even sex drive has been linked to moderate or severe Sleep Apnea.
Because people who suffer from Sleep Apnea lack energy, it is nearly impossible to lose weight. Because of excessive tiredness, exercise is usually out of the question leading to increased fatigue and weight gain. In a recent Sleep Journal conducted in New York, researchers discovered that hormonal changes occur when those involved in the study were unable to breath during sleep affecting insulin and glucose levels that can cause excessive weight gain. Lack of sleep can also lead to excessive hunger and overeating.
Other problems that can occur with Sleep Apnea include daytime sleepiness, sleep deprivation, concentration problems, and memory loss. If you have a sleep disorder, you could also aggravate restless legs syndrome, asthma, and chronic pain. Driving and operating machinery could be extremely dangerous if you are not treated for Sleep Apnea.
If you are having trouble sleeping, snore excessively or think you may be suffering from Sleep Apnea contact your dentist who may be able to help with your sleep disorder.
Dr. Michael Layton (DDS) is a dentist based in the South Surrey/White Rock, B.C. area. He has been in the dental industry for the last decade and received his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Washington. He takes pride in providing positive and caring dental solutions for people of every walk of life. You can follow him on Google+.
A healthy diet is important for your body, but avoiding certain foods could also help you keep your teeth. According to the Huffington Post, several foods should be avoided if you want to limit your time in the dentist’s chair.
Starchy foods such as potato chips, French fries and those donuts that you enjoy at the office could be causing tooth decay. Your dentist will tell you that starchy foods can be stuck in-between your teeth quickly converting to sugars that will erode the enamel on your teeth. If you do eat starchy foods, rinse or brush after enjoying.
Energy drinks may give you that boost you need after a good workout, but the best choice would be a bottle of water for healthy teeth. Carbonated sports drinks are extremely acidic and can be quite thick. This means that sports drinks will stick to your teeth longer than water.
You may think you are doing your body (and your healthy teeth) good with a bag of dried apricots, but the truth of the matter is that dried fruits can be just as bad for your teeth as those caramels or gummy bears that you munched on last night. Even chocolate can affect the way your teeth feel, especially if you are still tasting the chewy toffee that you had on your coffee break. 
When sticky food is stuck in between your teeth your saliva will have a tough time getting to the location in order to remineralize the acid. Bacteria will convert all types of sugar into acid including fruit sugars and refined sugars. Be sure to brush your teeth afterwards if you want to continue eating sticky foods and still maintain healthy teeth.
Foods that are acidic can wreck havoc on healthy teeth. Pickles, tomatoes, fruit juice, lemons, grapefruits, and oranges can raise the levels of acid, which over time; will eat away the enamel on your teeth. Even that glass of wine that you had with dinner last night is highly acidic. According to your dentist, foods that you would not suspect include certain types of fish and breakfast cereals. There are some acidic foods that you need to stay healthy, but moderation is the key if you want healthy teeth.
It is okay to indulge in an occasional burger from your favorite fast food restaurant, but if your diet is based on foods that are poor in nutrition, you could be asking for trouble. Loading up on pizza, hot dogs, fries, and candy will imbalance your immune system making you more susceptible to gum disease and tooth decay.
For healthy teeth, watch what you eat, brush twice and floss once a day, and remember to include regular dental checkups in your routine if you want healthy teeth and gums.
Dr. Michael Layton (DDS) is a dentist based in the South Surrey/White Rock area. With over 10 years of experience in the dental industry and a Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Washington, Dr. Layton enjoys providing safe and easy dental solutions for every patient that walks through the doors of his practice - and reads his blog. You can follow him on Google+.
