What are the Early Stages of Sleep Apnea?

Are you tired of waking up tired? It could be due to a common but often undiagnosed condition called sleep apnea. In this blog, we'll delve into the early stages of sleep apnea and how sleep apnea treatment in Memorial, Houston can help.

Early Stages of Sleep Apnea

The early stages of sleep apnea can be subtle. You may experience excessive daytime sleepiness, frequent nighttime awakenings, or snoring. It's easy to dismiss these as just signs of stress or aging, but they could be symptoms of a serious health problem. Sleep apnea can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, and other complications if not treated. That's why it's crucial to seek sleep apnea treatment in Memorial, Houston at the earliest sign of symptoms.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea, the most common form of sleep apnea, occurs when the muscles in the back of the throat relax during sleep, blocking the airway. This leads to a drop in oxygen levels in the blood, causing your brain to wake you up briefly to reopen the airway. This cycle can repeat hundreds of times a night, leaving you feeling exhausted the next day. If you think you may have obstructive sleep apnea, it's essential to seek sleep apnea treatment in Memorial, Houston as soon as possible.

Can Early Sleep Apnea Resolve Itself Or Does It Require Treatment?

Unfortunately, in nearly all cases mild sleep apnea that causes periodic breathing interruptions, blood oxygen desaturation, loud snoring and daytime drowsiness will continue to worsen over time if no intervention is made, such as meaningful lifestyle adjustments or therapy solutions. 

As the tongue and throat muscles increasingly collapse and obstruct air intake while sleeping, apnea and its effects intensify. What begins as nominal overnight breathing lapses with few noticeable symptoms frequently spirals into moderate-to-severe cases of fatigue with dangerous cardiorespiratory consequences. 

However, various conservative treatment options like customized oral appliance devices, positional therapy, supplemental oxygen or targeted air pressure machines can help stabilize early cases when use begins immediately after diagnosis. Though apnea is clinically progressive when overlooked, affordable at-home or in-lab remediations tailored early-on typically manage advancement so symptoms don't become severely life-disrupting.

Treatment Options

There are various treatment options available for sleep apnea, ranging from lifestyle changes to medical devices and surgery. Lifestyle changes such as losing weight, quitting smoking, and avoiding alcohol can help reduce the symptoms of sleep apnea. Medical devices like continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines can keep your airway open during sleep. In some cases, surgery may be necessary. The best sleep apnea treatment in Memorial, Houston will depend on the severity of your condition and your personal preferences.

Don't Let Sleep Apnea Steal Your Rest

Sleep apnea is a serious condition, but with the right treatment, you can manage its symptoms and improve your quality of sleep. At RH Dentistry, Dr. Michelle Boecker and Dr. Courtney Kleiber are dedicated to helping patients in Memorial, Houston combat sleep apnea. If you're tired of feeling tired, don't wait another day. Call us at (281) 661-1844 to schedule an appointment. Let us help you reclaim your rest with sleep apnea treatment in Memorial, Houston.