5 Surprising Facts About Sleep Apnea Everyone Should Know

Americans are sleeping less than at any other time in history. This is very apparent in the data of countless studies, plus it’s easy to see if you just talk to people regularly—everyone is tired all the time! One of the biggest factors contributing to this is a drastic increase in the rate of sleep disorders such as sleep apnea. It’s a condition most people have heard of, but what do you really know about it? Before you reach for your next cup of coffee or an energy drink, you can get up to speed by reading these five little-known facts.

Millions of People Have It

The latest estimate is that anywhere between 10-20% of Americans have some form of sleep apnea. Roughly 80-90% of cases go undiagnosed, which is why there is such a broad range.

It Can Affect Anyone

While sleep apnea is closely associated with older, overweight men because they make up the largest single group of people who have sleep apnea, the truth is that women, young people, and even children can develop the condition as well.

Hundreds of Times Each Night

When someone has sleep apnea, they temporarily stop breathing repeatedly throughout the night. This can occur a dozen and even a hundred-plus times each hour in severe cases. These interruptions prevent someone from getting the restorative sleep they need, which causes them to wake up feeling exhausted even if they “slept” for seven to nine hours.

It’s Connected to Childhood ADHD

When an adult has sleep apnea, they are usually tired all the time, which makes sense. But if a child is sleep deprived, they tend to have more issues with staying focused and can even become hyper. A growing number of doctors are now starting to believe that many children diagnosed with ADHD actually have sleep issues, which would make sense in cases where proven ADHD treatments don’t seem to be working.

A Dentist Can Help

For people struggling with sleep apnea, they can take solace in the fact that the condition is very treatable, and one place they can find a solution is quite unexpected—the dentist! Specially trained sleep dentists can provide custom-made oral appliances that a patient wears to bed, and these slightly reposition the lower jaw to open the airway and prevent stoppages in breathing.

If you or a loved one can’t seem to ever get enough sleep, then it’s definitely worth your time to seek out professional help for sleep apnea. A sleep dentist can perform an initial screening and even organize for someone to complete a sleep test so they can get an official diagnosis and receive treatment right away.

About the Author

Dr. Jacob Milner is a graduate of the University of Maryland School of Dentistry who has completed several hours of advanced training dedicated to the treatment of sleep apnea using oral appliances. Do you struggle with chronic exhaustion or have been told you snore? Dr. Milner can help you get the rest you deserve—just click here to schedule an appointment to talk about your options or call (410)-902-4110.