Obstructive sleep apnea is associated with a wide range of health issues such as lethargy, irritability, depression, overeating, and drowsiness, and this condition often goes undiagnosed for long periods. Being sleepy throughout the day can make someone less productive at work and less engaged at leisure, but it can also lead to serious safety problems behind the wheel. Here’s a quick overview of what sleep apnea is and the dangers of driving without adequate rest.
What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
When you sleep, the muscles and many other tissues throughout your body relax so they can rest and heal after a day of activity. In a sleep apnea patient, however, this relaxation will cause the tissues in the neck to weigh heavily on the windpipe during slumber, which can reduce the amount of air they can receive. When the brain detects that the body has inadequate oxygen levels, it will send a distress signal that causes the sleeper to awaken suddenly and short of breath. This can happen many tens of times in a single night.
Is Driving While Sleepy Dangerous?
While virtually everyone is aware of the serious risks and horrible human costs of drunk driving, many are not aware that driving with inadequate rest is comparably dangerous. A smooth, uneventful drive can put a person in a trance-like state, and that can make it easy to drift off into the early stages of sleep if you are already tired. Nodding off behind the wheel has led to countless totaled cars, raised insurance premiums, serious injuries, and preventable deaths.
How Can My Sleep Dentist Treat Sleep Apnea?
Luckily, a qualified sleep dentist can address sleep apnea with several effective treatments such as:
- Oral appliance therapy: These devices are designed to fit over your teeth while holding the jaw in a slightly forward position, which can help keep the airway open during sleep.
- CPAP therapy: A CPAP machine helps a sleeping patient keep their airway open by feeding pressurized air through a hose into a mask placed over their mouth and nose.
- Combined therapy: Wearing an oral appliance while using a CPAP machine is the best option in some cases.
Don’t let untreated sleep apnea set you up for a car accident. Consulting with your sleep dentist can help you find the best way to get your best rest.
About the Practice
Healthy Sleep provides the finest sleep apnea care to the community of Tulsa. Led by Drs. Lori Hare, Billie Reeder, and Robin Ross, the staff ensures that each patient receives courteous treatment and exemplary customer service in a clean and welcoming office. Areas of expertise include oral appliance therapy, combined therapy, and lip and tongue-tie treatments. If you are concerned about sleep apnea, contact the office online or dial (918) 300-4325.