What You Need to Know about Sleep Disorders

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If you’ve been having problems sleeping, your mind is probably racing, trying to find the reason why so you can put an end to it, right? There are many reasons you might be having a hard time sleeping. And believe it or not, your dentist might just be the one who can help stop it.

Let’s go over sleep disorders for a moment. Then, we’ll talk about how your dentist in Alabaster, AL, might be able to help.

What Causes Sleep Disorders?

Sleep disorders can be caused by any number of issues. They can be caused by medical conditions (asthma, heart disease), mental conditions (depression, anxiety), genetic factors, medication side effects, and even oral disorders like TMJ, sleep apnea, and unbalanced bites.

The Symptoms of Sleep Disorders

There are several symptoms that indicate you might have a sleep disorder.

Nighttime Symptoms:

  • It takes you longer than 30 minutes to fall asleep.
  • You have trouble staying asleep.
  • Snoring, choking, or gasping while sleeping.
  • Your body feels like it needs to move while you’re relaxing.
  • You feel like you cannot move once you wake up.

Daytime Symptoms:

  • You feel sleepy during the day and sometimes fall asleep while doing routine things.
  • You have a hard time focusing.
  • You experience frequent falls or other accidents.
  • You are moody and irritable.
  • Your performance of daily tasks begins to suffer, and you have a hard time meeting deadlines.

How Much Sleep Do You Really Need?

Ideally, how much sleep you need depends on your age group. Adults between the ages of 26 and 64 should get about 7-9 hours of sleep per night. Senior adults over the age of 65 can get away with 7-8 hours of sleep per night.

If you don’t get enough sleep, you could end up with obesity, diabetes, heart disease, depression, and/or dementia.

How a Dentist Can Help with Your Sleep Disorder

A dentist can help with many sleep disorders in Alabaster, AL, such as sleep apnea, snoring, TMJ, etc. Dental sleep issues can be treated with oral appliances and other options that your dentist will discuss with you based on your situation.

Are You Looking for a Sleep Dentist in Alabaster, AL?

If you want to get a proper diagnosis for your sleep disorder, please Contact Alabama Dental Sleep and Wellness today to schedule a consultation and exam. We understand the importance of a good night’s sleep and will do everything in our power to help get your sleep cycles back to normal so you can go on living again!

Can't use your CPAP

Why is Sleep Sometimes Disrupted?

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Disruptions in sleep are very frustrating, especially when they impact your waking life. They can lead to the loss of a job, health issues, dangerous accidents and more. It’s notable thatsleep problems in Alabaster, AL are highly treatable. It may take a combination of medical intervention and lifestyle changes, but help is available. Following are some of the most common reasons why sleep is sometimes disrupted.

Environmental Factors

You need a calm and restful environment to get a sound sleep. There are steps you can take to avoid sleep disruption. Install room darkening shades to avoid light infiltration while you’re trying to sleep. Switch to an analog alarm clock rather than a digital clock that may have LED lights. Change bed linens weekly, so you have a pleasant, clean place to lie down. Wear earplugs if street noise is excessive. Consider an eye mask if the room is still too bright to sleep.

Medical Conditions

You may have underlying medical conditions that are disrupting your sleep. These can include sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, neurological disorders, obesity, asthma or allergies, all of which can disrupt sound sleep. A consultation with a professional at asleep center in Alabaster, AL may help.

Snoring

Often a precursor to or symptom of obstructive sleep apnea, snoring can itself be a sleep disruptor both for the snorer and their bed partner. It occurs when air flows past relaxed tissues in your throat, causing the tissues to vibrate as you breathe. Snoring can vary from a soft noise to loud and bothersome sounds that can wake both the snorer and others. There are certain devices that can be worn, in addition to some minor lifestyle changes, that can reduce or eliminate this sleep disruptor.

Bruxism

Often occurring alongside other sleep disorders like sleep apnea, bruxism involves grinding or clenching of teeth during sleep. This not only disrupts sleep but can also cause dental health issues and jaw pain.

If you have difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep, this can cause major problems in your life. Contact us today for a consultation so we can determine the underlying problem of your sleep disruption. The sooner you get in touch, the sooner you can look forward to restful sleep once again!

Why Do I Snore So Loud?

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Soft snoring is a normal thing that people do sometimes while sleeping, but really frequent, loud snoring can be a sign of a problem. If you snore really loudly, you may need help from a sleep doctor in Alabaster, AL.

At Alabama Dental Sleep and Wellness, we help patients manage their snoring so they (and other members of their families) can get a good night’s rest. If you snore loudly at night, here’s what you need to know.

What Causes Loud Snoring?

Loud snoring is typically caused by a condition called sleep apnea. If you have sleep apnea, you repeatedly stop breathing while you sleep, then wake up very briefly to start breathing again.

Most people with sleep apnea experience this problem because the muscles in their throat relax so much that parts of their airway become closed off. Some people with sleep apnea experience this problem because their brain stops sending signals to breathe while sleeping.

How Can I Stop Snoring?

There isn’t a silver bullet for treating sleep apnea. Different people respond to different types of treatment. For many people, losing weight and cutting down on drinking before bedtime can help. Many people also respond positively to dental oral appliances that help open the airway to promote better breathing. Either way, working with an expert can help.

If you’re snoring in Alabaster, AL, getting help is important. Sleep apnea is a dangerous condition that can put you at higher risk for heart problems and other complications. In addition, sleep apnea can leave you feeling tired all the time, even when you’ve had a full night’s sleep. See the sleep doctor in Alabaster, AL, for help.