- Posted on: Feb 25 2015
Sleep apnea is a potentially life-threatening condition that causes sufferers to wake up many times in the night. It occurs when airways become so obstructed that the brain wakes you from sleep to restore breathing. The Grand Rapids dentists at A Life of Smiles can help you or a loved one who is experiencing the symptoms of sleep apnea restore a restful night of sleep.
Risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea include the following:
- Weight: Roughly fifty percent of sleep apnea sufferers are overweight or obese. It is believed that fat deposits around the airway can interfere with normal breathing.
- Neck thickness: Having a neck circumference of more than 17 inches (men) or 16 inches (women) increases your risk of developing sleep apnea.
- Gender: Men are twice as likely as women to suffer from obstructive sleep apnea.
- Ethnicity: Sleep apnea affects African Americans more commonly than it does other populations.
- Age: Sleep apnea is most common among those between the ages of 18 and 60.
- Family history: There may be a genetic component because sleep apnea seems to run in families.
Certain medical and lifestyle choices also increase your risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea. These include:
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- Alcohol consumption
We can Help
If you or a loved one is suffering from sleep apnea, Dr. Jerry Mulder, Jr., and Dr. Allyson Mulder can help. Our sleep apnea dentists will perform a thorough examination to determine the cause of your airway blockage, and we will recommend the ideal treatment option to alleviate your condition.
Please contact A Life of Smiles today to schedule an appointment. We are pleased to serve clients from throughout central and southern Michigan in our Grand Rapids office.
Published by: Grand Rapids Dentistry Blog – A Life of Smiles
A Grand Rapids, Michigan based cosmetic, general & sedation dentistry
Tagged with: Dr. Allyson Mulder, Dr. Jerry Mulder, obstructive sleep apnea, OSA, Sleep Apnea, Sleep Apnea Dentist, Sleep Apnea Symptons
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