June is National Men’s Health month and Dr. Brogdon is creating awareness of a deadly health risk that happens in your sleep. Many people are unaware that your dentist is looking for more then just tooth decay. Your dentist can also detect health complications relating to the heart, bones, diabetes, and even sleep disorders.
Over 12 million people in America suffer from Sleep Apnea. “Although sleep apnea can affect everyone including children, those most commonly affected by sleep apnea are males,” explains Dr. Brogdon. The leading risk factors for sleep apnea are being overweight or obese, being over the age of forty and an alcohol user.
If sleep apnea is left untreated, the individual can stop breathing repeatedly during the night, sometimes for a minute or longer. Increasing high blood pressure and the risk of a heart attack, stroke or other cardiovascular disease are also among the health risks associated to sleep apnea. Some indicators that a patient may be a candidate for sleep apnea treatment are chronic snoring, restless sleep, morning headaches, and weight gain.
The most common type of Apnea, OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea), can often be remedied with a dental appliance. New discoveries in technology show that modern dental appliances can not only ease the symptoms of Sleep Apnea but also help to ensure a full night of sleep and a longer healthier life.
Dr. Brogdon and his team are on a mission to educate patients on lowering their risk factors by maintaining regular check ups and scheduling evaluations for friends and family that may be showing indications of sleep apnea.
