Serving Patients in the areas of Grand Rapids, Holland, and Big Rapids MISleep is something we all crave more of, yet millions of Americans are somehow unable to get a full nights’ rest. Those restless nights have dire consequences on your health, and your sleep apnea doctors in Grand Rapids at TMJ & Sleep Disorders of Michigan want you to know why.
According to scientific studies, there are three stages of sleep. Each stage has varying degrees of relaxation, which can last anywhere from 90-110 minutes. It is the third stage known as REM sleep that is most important to our health. During the REM stage, the brain waves slow down dramatically, allowing for the restorative sleep to occur. We all require this stage of deep sleep to feel fully rested and rejuvenated. If you are waking up each morning feeling tired and fatigued, obstructive sleep apnea could be to blame.
For people suffering from obstructive sleep apnea, their airways become blocked or completely restricted, causing the brain to send signals to the body that it needs to wake up enough to breathe again. These instances often result in snoring or gasping for air, both of which disrupts sleep. Chronic sleep apnea sufferers may wake as often as every 1-3 minutes, which significantly impacts their REM sleep cycle. If this is happening to you then you are not receiving the quality sleep that your body needs.
It may be likely that you are unaware of your sleep apnea condition. If you are always fatigued during the day, experience mood swings, loss of libido, or are overweight then you may have a sleep-breathing disorder. Living with untreated sleep apnea can increase your risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and stroke. Recently a study was released at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in London stating that untreated sleep apnea may accelerate the risk of dementia.
While these health risks alone are enough to scare you, untreated sleep apnea also poses safety risks for yourself and those around you. Sleep apnea sufferers are more likely to be involved in an accident, either while driving or operating machinery at work. Plus, the constant fatigue can interfere with your daily life, affecting those around you as well.
It is time to get your life back!
If you are not getting the rest that you need, consider a sleep evaluation with Grand Rapids sleep apnea specialists at TMJ & Sleep Disorders of Michigan. We can diagnose and treat sleep apnea using noninvasive means of treatment that does not include the use of the CPAP machine. Many of our patients experience relief from their sleep breathing disorder by wearing a custom-made oral appliance while sleeping. The appliance holds the jaw in proper alignment, facilitating an open airway – no more sleep apnea episodes!
If you have been living with chronic sleep loss, then contact TMJ & Sleep Disorders of Michigan at (616) 458-0631 to schedule a consultation.
TMJ & Sleep Disorders of Michigan is here to serve patients in the area of Big Rapids, Grand Rapids, and Holland, MI.
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