Health experts continually tout the benefits of a good night’s sleep. From a healthy weight to a strong immune system, it seems everything hinges on a solid eight hours’ rest. And here’s the thing: your oral surgeon in Fort Worth agrees! Though individual sleep needs vary, most adults require at least seven hours a night. So if you struggle with sleep apnea and constant interruptions to your rest, it can have serious consequences for your overall health.
At Texas Oral Surgery Specialists in Colleyville, TX, Dr. Chris Tye is an expert in all things related to oral anatomy. Working with your healthcare team, Dr. Tye will evaluate your neck and jaw to determine the cause of your obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Then he can provide a variety of treatment options, depending on the cause and severity of your condition.
Don’t put your health at risk! Contact us to schedule a sleep apnea consultation.
What is obstructive sleep apnea?
If you have OSA, your airways are blocked while you sleep. The muscles lining your throat may slacken. Your tongue may fall back into your throat, or your soft palate may droop. In any case, this causes you to stop breathing until you wake up and normal airflow can resume. Often, patients awaken with a sharp intake of air, but some may not even be aware of the interruptions to their sleep.
Snoring is one of the most common symptoms of OSA. Others include:
- Chronic fatigue
- Dry mouth
- Morning headaches
- Insomnia
- Difficulty concentrating
Sleep Apnea and Cardiovascular Health
Each time breathing ceases, oxygen levels in your blood drop. This stimulates the nervous system to release chemoreceptors, the cells typically released during moments of high stress and anxiety. Moreover, the nervous system also signals the body to constrict blood vessels and increase heart rate, all of which puts an enormous strain on the cardiovascular system.
Chronically low oxygen levels also trigger oxidative stress. In turn, widespread inflammation can occur, along with neurochemical reactions that strain the heart.
Because of these reactions, patients with sleep apnea are 140% more likely to experience heart failure, 60% more likely to suffer a stroke, and 30% more likely to develop cardiovascular disease.
Other Risks of Untreated Sleep Apnea
While the cardiovascular risks of sleep apnea are perhaps the most well-known, OSA can have many other health consequences. These include:
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Insulin resistance
- Type 2 diabetes
- Fatty liver disease
- Depression
- Brain fog
- Weak immune system
- Poor memory
How can an oral surgeon in Fort Worth treat sleep apnea?
With degrees in both medicine and dentistry, Dr. Tye is an outstanding choice to treat sleep apnea. Following a thorough diagnosis, including state-of-the-art imaging, he will determine the optimal treatment for you. For cases of mild sleep apnea, this may include a minimally invasive surgery, such as laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP). In more advanced cases, you may require a CPAP or bi-PAP appliance.
Contact Us Today
Whatever treatment you receive, it can improve your overall health and even extend your life! To schedule your life-saving appointment, contact us online or call 817-552-3223.
Dr. Tye is an oral surgeon treating patients in Fort Worth, Colleyville, Bedford, Grapevine, and Southlake.
