Recent studies show that about 50 to 70 million adults in the United States suffer from sleep apnea. This disorder is more than simply loud snoring, and it is not confined to those who are diagnosed as morbidly obese. Below, you’ll find a list of sleep apnea symptoms, 6 celebrities who live with this condition and the best plan of action to manage it.
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that causes involuntary interruptions in your breathing pattern while you sleep. Here are a few symptoms that may suggest that you might have sleep apnea:
- Loud snoring every night
- Feeling tired and sluggish often, despite getting a full night’s sleep
- Difficulty focusing or remembering things
- Depression and/or mood swings
- Rapid weight gain
- Suddenly feeling out of breath when you wake up
While this is not an exhaustive list of symptoms, it shows that this condition can affect your entire body.
Celebrities with Sleep Apnea
Amy Poehler – At 5’2” with a slim build, this actress and comedienne has suffered from sleep apnea for many years. According to her family, she often snorts, snores and chokes in her sleep.
Shonda Rhimes – Known for her many hit TV shows and the most recently aired “Bridgerton”, this Hollywood writer and producer has made note of her chronic exhaustion being caused by her battle with sleep apnea.
Quincy Jones – This world-renowned trumpet player, famed record producer and 27-time Grammy Award winner has been receiving treatment for his sleep apnea for quite some time and, at age 87, appears to be doing well.
Brett Favre – Celebrated as a former NFL quarterback cited sleep apnea as his reason for finally retiring from football. In an interview about his retirement, Favre stated, “I couldn’t sleep at night, simple as that. How am I supposed to play the game the right way when I can barely get out of bed in the morning?”
How to Manage Sleep Apnea
There are three types of sleep apnea: obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), central sleep apnea (CSA) and complex or mixed sleep apnea. Depending on your diagnosis, your doctor may recommend certain appliances to manage your issue. One treatment is a snoring oral appliance, also known as a CPAP machine, that will slightly shift your lower jaw forward, keeping your airway open as you sleep. Another treatment option is a dental guard that pulls your lower jaw forward into a therapeutic position that activates the muscles and ligaments in the airway to prevent it from collapsing.
If you’ve dealt with any of the symptoms, a sleep test can help determine which type of sleep apnea, if any, you might be suffering from. If you’re not sure how to get tested, your dentist in Sebastian can help. Once you’ve been diagnosed, your doctor can make a recommendation as to which treatment will be best for you.
About the Practice
Sebastian Dental has provided patients with high-quality, comprehensive service since 2004. Their dentists offer strong, unique backgrounds in many areas of dentistry, but each one is committed to helping patients improve their smiles and their quality of life. If you believe you may be suffering from sleep apnea, contact the office at (722) 388-0088 or visit the website to schedule your appointment today.