You hear it.

It’s close, but you’re almost afraid to move to see what it is.

What could be making that kind of noise?

Nevertheless, you turn your head to see it’s the love of your life snoring away just feet away from you. You give them the nudge that usually stops the snoring for a little bit. Hopefully, long enough so you can fall asleep, too.

That kind of loud, constant snoring may be a symptom of a bigger problem. Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that can affect the health of the person suffering from it … as well as anyone trying to sleep nearby.

If you suspect your spouse or partner may have sleep apnea, it may be time to plan a visit to Bell Dental Group in Cincinnati, OH. Call us at 513-802-9440  to schedule a consultation.

Understanding Sleep Apnea

People who have sleep apnea are more likely to have cardiovascular problems, diabetes complications, heart attacks, and car accidents. When someone has sleep apnea, they stop breathing when they fall asleep.

In response, their body will wake them up repeatedly. This may be brief — so brief that they have no memory of it. These cycles of light sleep and waking up means they don’t get the deep, healthy sleep that they need to function well when they are awake.

These breathing stoppages can occur dozens of times every hour and hundreds of times per night depending on the severity of their condition.

For people with obstructive sleep apnea (the most common form of this sleep disorder), their breathing stoppages occur because soft tissues gradually block their airways when they fall asleep. That also amplifies the sound of their snoring, which keeps you from getting healthy sleep, too.

In addition to snoring, other symptoms may include:

  • Feeling tired in the morning
  • Daytime sleepiness
  • Irritability
  • Difficulty staying focused on chores or tasks

Often, it’s a partner or family member who notices the symptoms first. Let your loved one know if you are seeing these signs.

Getting Treated

In some cases, snoring is just snoring. In others, it’s a symptom of sleep apnea or a related sleep disorder. To know for certain, your partner should take a sleep test to confirm whether they have sleep apnea.

If they do, we may have a treatment option that can help both of you get the healthy sleep you need and deserve.

Our doctors can design an oral appliance for your partner to wear while they sleep. This is custom-made for them. This will pull their lower jaw forward slightly. That helps to keep their airway open, which allows them to keep breathing.

As a result, they can get the deep sleep they need. This also reduces (and may even eliminate) their snoring.

Sleep Better, Feel Better

You can rest easier knowing that the person you love it doing something good for their overall health. Don’t wait another day to get help.

Request an appointment at Bell Dental Group by calling 513-802-9440 today or by filling out our online form.