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What Are Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders?

Sleep-related breathing disorders are characterized by irregular breathing patterns during sleep, often occurring when the tongue and the soft tissue in the back of the throat relaxes and restricts or blocks airflow.  These issues affect a significant portion of the American population, often going undiagnosed due to their occurrence during sleep. The most prevalent forms include snoring, Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS), and Sleep Apnea.

  • Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS)– a narrowing of the airway causing sleep disruptions.
  • Snoring– this loud noise occurs as you sleep when the flow of air from breathing makes tissues in the back of your throat vibrate.
  • Obstructive Sleep Apnea– periods of stopped breathing during sleep due to obstructions in the airway.

An extremely common early warning sign of sleep apnea or sleep-related disordered breathing is snoring. While snoring is common, it is not normal. The person doing the snoring is typically unaware of the occurrence, it can keep your partner awake, and can also represent a more serious health risk.

 

Common Symptoms of Sleep-Related Disordered Breathing Are:

  • Bruxism (clenching and grinding)
  • Mouth Breathing
  • Unusual Wear on the Biting Surfaces of Teeth
  • Unexplained Broken Crowns or Fractured Teeth
  • Headaches
  • Stress
  • Brain Fog
  • Forward Head Posture
  • Chronic Fatigue
  • Face, Neck, Shoulder, or Joint Pain
  • Waking Up at Night Gasping for Air
  • Dry Mouth Upon Waking Up
  • Difficulty Concentrating
  • Chronic allergies

When left untreated, disordered breathing can cause or aggravate a long list of potential symptoms and more serious health conditions. These disorders worsen over time and can become life-threatening when left untreated.

 

Common Health Issues Associated with Disordered Breathing Are:

  • Anxiety
  • Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADD or ADHD)
  • Memory Problems
  • Depression
  • Gum Disease
  • Upper Respiratory Infections
  • Chronic Sinus Infections
  • Obesity
  • Diabetes
  • Hypertension and Cardiovascular Disease
  • Hyperthyroidism
  • Chronic Pain

At Impact Sleep Dentistry, Dr. Melika Kashkouli takes a comprehensive approach to dental care. Beyond general dentistry, she understands the relationship between dental health, tongue position and swallow function, joint health, muscle function, occlusion, breathing, posture and many other factors which can lead to many systemic issues.