Do you ever wake up at night gasping for breath? While this sensation of being short of breath may be anything from an asthma attack due to allergies to anaphylactic shock, it is best to consider seeing an expert like Dr. Benassi for sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea is a disease that occurs when a person’s breathing is interrupted during sleep. If you have this sleep disorder, it is a good idea to get treatment. Untreated sleep apnea can cause a person to stop breathing repeatedly throughout the night, resulting in restricted oxygen flow to the body.

Sleep apnea comes in two forms. The more common form is obstructive sleep apnea or OSA. This is due to an airway blockage when the soft tissue at the back of the throat collapses during sleep. Central sleep apnea or CSA happens when the brain does not send breathing signals to the muscles.

This disease has several risk factors, including being overweight, being over age 40, and having a family history of sleep apnea. Being male and having a large neck size can also contribute. People diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux, allergies, and sinus problems are also at risk.

There are health problems that sleep apnea can exacerbate. People with high blood pressure, diabetes, depression, ADHD, heart disease and stroke should be extra careful. Sleep apnea can eventually worsen one of these problems enough to cause death.

Untreated sleep apnea can result in poor work and academic performance, accidents, and even underachievement. This is why Benassi Family Dentistry in Rockford, IL offers sleep apnea treatment. As some people cannot tolerate CPAP, Dr. Benassi recommends a custom fitted oral appliance to stiffen the soft palate and support the airways.

Don’t let sleep apnea ruin the quality of your life. Benassi Family Dentistry always wants what is best for you, and we will work with you to remedy your problems with sleep apnea. Call us today before it’s too late at 815-397-2752.