Smoking With Sleep Apnea

Smoking will exacerbate any respiratory condition and it is proven to cause snoring and lead to obstructive sleep apnea.  Patients struggling with sleep apnea should see the doctors at Riverwalk Dental for evaluation. We can help patients find relief from sleep apnea, but quitting smoking is up to you!  Smoking causes upper airway inflammation, meaning the swelling causes the airway to narrow and disrupts the nasal passage and throat.  This causes snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.  Cigarettes are highly addictive, and some smokers seek treatment for sleep apnea but continue to smoke. Smoking with sleep apnea not only puts more stress on the heart every day, but negates any treatment a sleep apnea patient is undergoing.

Habitual smokers may feel relaxed by one last cigarette for the day, but it actually creates more complications for restful sleep. Smokers can experience nicotine withdrawal overnight, causing more waking up and restlessness.  Quitting smoking cold turkey is very difficult, but even lessening the amount of cigarettes or avoiding smoking at nighttime can help you achieve more restful sleep.  Most smokers cannot quit on their own or on their first attempt, so don’t get discouraged!

If you have questions or concerns regarding sleep disorders, please give us a call. To learn more about sleep apnea and the treatments we offer, visit www.riverwalkdental.ca for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Riverwalk Dental located at Canada, Alberta, T1B 4Y2, Medicine Hat, 101-7 Strachan Bay, SE, call 403-456-4994.

Sleep Apnea and Floppy Eyelids

When people are aware that they suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), dentists such as our team at Riverwalk Dental in Calgary can make night guards for them that will help keep their airways open. But people often do not know why they are fatigued unless there is someone who can tell them whether they snore. Now, scientists have found a new indicator of sleep apnea: floppy eyelids.

The study was small in size, but it found that 53% of people with sleep apnea also had eyelids that were rubbery or misshapen. These people’s eyelids flipped inside-out more easily, putting them at greater risk for dryness and corneal abrasions.

Scientists are unsure of why OSA is linked to floppy eyelids, although they hypothesize that inflammation is damaging the proteins that allow skin to regain its shape after stretching. For people with lax eyelids, a night guard may be a better option than a CPAP machine, since the dry air it emits can further harm their eyes. People who suspect they have sleep apnea should get assessed in a sleep center so they can determine if it is the kind a dentist can assist with.

Dr. Jared Palmer and his team operate Riverwalk Dental at 540 6^th Avenue SE, Calgary, Alberta, T2G 1K5, Canada. To schedule an appointment, call 1-403-456-4994 or visit Riverwalk Dental.

 

Sleep Apnea and the Heart

Sleep apnea is not only a serious medical condition, but left untreated it can lead to a plethora of other health issues and is dangerous for the heart.  A patient with sleep apnea does not breathe properly during sleep, resulting in low oxygen levels throughout the entire body. Breathing supplies lungs with oxygen but also the rest of the body.  When there is a lack of oxygen, the part of the heart responsible for moving oxygenated blood to the organs and extremities is forced to work extra hard.  This can cause an enlarged heart and eventually heart failure.

Those living with untreated sleep apnea are at a higher risk of developing irregular heartbeats, and also have a higher risk for a stroke and heart attack.  Men with untreated sleep apnea are actually living with double the risk for a stroke.  If you have yet to find a solution for sleep apnea, please visit Riverwalk Dental for a consultation.

If you have questions or concerns regarding sleep disorders, please give us a call. To learn more about sleep apnea and all the treatments we offer, visit www.riverwalkdental.ca for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Riverwalk Dental located at Canada, Alberta, T1B 4Y2, Medicine Hat, 101-7 Strachan Bay, SE, call 403-456-4994.

Diabetes and Sleep Apnea

We pay special attention to the unique needs of our diabetic patients at Riverwalk Dental. People with diabetes have many additional health concerns, including an increased risk of gum disease, but our services extend to obstructive sleep apnea (OAS), as well. The link between OAS and diabetes is not completely understood, but there is a very high correlation.

Being overweight is one of the biggest risk factors for OAS. It makes the patient’s soft tissues likelier to sag into their airways when they’re lying down. As a metabolic disorder, diabetes puts people at an increased risk for obesity, but the connection may be deeper than that. Scientists believe that the stress of disrupted sleep causes the body to release hormones which release more glucose, creating a vicious circle. Sleep apnea also raises the patient’s blood pressure, while diabetes causes painful nerve damage that is also disruptive to sleep.

There are several means of easing the symptoms of sleep apnea dentists can help with. Among them are providing CPAP machines, which are masks that help to regulate the wearer’s breathing. We can also help provide night guards to reduce nighttime teeth grinding, which is often an attempt by the body to keep the airways open.

Dr. Jared Palmer and his team operate Riverwalk Dental at 540 6^th Avenue SE, Calgary, Alberta, T2G 1K5, Canada. To schedule an appointment, call 1-403-456-4994 or visit RiverwalkDental.Ca.