Sleep apnea is already an all-too-common health issue, and researchers have reason to believe that it is only becoming more widespread. In fact, it’s estimated that by the year 2050, around 77 million adults will be affected by the disorder. Are you concerned about the quality of your sleep? If so, it’s important to be aware of the reasons why sleep apnea is on the rise and the steps that can be taken to address it.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is associated with pauses in your breathing that can occur multiple times in a single night while you’re asleep. People with sleep apnea tend to feel excessively tired during the day, and they’re also more likely to suffer from heart disease and other serious health issues. The underlying cause of sleep apnea can vary, but it’s often a result of the airway becoming obstructed in some manner.
What is Contributing to the Rise of Sleep Apnea?
Some of the factors that are making sleep apnea more prevalent include:
- An Increase in Obesity Rates: Obesity is a significant risk factor for sleep apnea. People who are overweight tend to have more fat deposits in their necks, which can increase the chances of the airways becoming obstructed. As obesity rates continue to go up, more and more people are at a higher risk of suffering from sleep-disordered breathing.
- An Aging Population: As you get older, your chances of developing sleep apnea increase. With people around the world living longer on average, age-related health issues are becoming more common.
- Greater Awareness: Nowadays, more people can recognize the warning signs of sleep-disordered breathing, making them more likely to seek care. As a result, there are fewer cases of sleep apnea going undiagnosed.
What Can You Do About Sleep Apnea?
With sleep apnea becoming more widespread, it’s essential to keep an eye out for symptoms that can point to sleep-disordered breathing. If you have been told that you snore loudly, or if you notice that you often feel excessively tired during the day, it’s a good idea to have a sleep test performed as soon as possible.
Upon being diagnosed with sleep apnea, you can start exploring your treatment options. In many cases, you might benefit from wearing a personalized oral appliance. All you need to do is wear this device at night so that it can move the lower jaw slightly forward, which can help you maintain an unobstructed airway while you sleep.
Sleep apnea may be on the rise, but as long as you act quickly to have the disorder diagnosed and treated by an expert, you can protect yourself from the worst consequences of sleep-disordered breathing.
About the Author
Dr. Jeff Rodgers specializes in dental sleep medicine and has more than two decades of experience. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine as well as the American Sleep and Breathing Academy. He is dedicated to ensuring that more people are aware of sleep apnea and how it can be treated via personalized oral appliances. If you’re worried about sleep apnea, you can schedule an appointment with Dr. Rodgers at Sleep Better Georgia in Dunwoody by visiting his website or calling (770) 394-4310.