{"id":710,"date":"2021-03-06T18:41:00","date_gmt":"2021-03-06T18:41:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pvcompletedentistry.com\/blog\/?p=710"},"modified":"2021-04-14T17:57:48","modified_gmt":"2021-04-14T17:57:48","slug":"busting-sleep-apnea-myths","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pvcompletedentistry.com\/blog\/2021\/03\/busting-sleep-apnea-myths\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Sleep Apnea Myths and the Truth Behind Them"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignleft size-medium\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pvcompletedentistry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/AdobeStock_106865554__1617734623_62432-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Large signs separating facts from sleep apnea myths\" class=\"wp-image-711\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pvcompletedentistry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/AdobeStock_106865554__1617734623_62432-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.pvcompletedentistry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/AdobeStock_106865554__1617734623_62432-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.pvcompletedentistry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/AdobeStock_106865554__1617734623_62432.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>It is estimated that 22 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea. Given how common this condition is, it\u2019s surprising that there are still so many popular misconceptions about it. Let\u2019s set the record straight. In this blog post, we\u2019ll discuss five sleep apnea myths and the truth behind them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Myth #1: Sleep Apnea and Snoring Are the Same Thing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Snoring is the sound that results when air moves past the tissues in the throat, causing them to vibrate. Snoring by itself doesn\u2019t always indicate a medical problem, but in many cases, it is a symptom of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). OSA is a disorder characterized by repeated pauses in breathing, called apneas, throughout the night. The apneas occur when the same tissues that vibrate during snoring overrelax and block the airway altogether.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Myth #2: Sleep Apnea Only Affects Overweight People<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Excess weight, particularly when it is accompanied by a large neck circumference, <em>is <\/em>a major risk factor for OSA. However, there are quite a few overweight people who have no breathing problems at all, and there are many individuals with a normal BMI who <em>do <\/em>suffer from OSA. This condition can affect anyone, including athletes, children, men, and women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Myth #3: Sleep Apnea Isn\u2019t a Big Deal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>At a glance, it might seem like sleep apnea is just an annoyance because of the snoring and tiredness it causes. In reality, though, it poses some significant health risks. Various studies have found a correlation between OSA and several serious problems, including type 2 diabetes, unwanted weight gain, cardiovascular disease, and dementia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It can also have devastating consequences on daily life. For example, it can lead to irritability, decreased productivity at work, and a decline in libido.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Myth #4: CPAP Therapy Is the Only Way to Treat Sleep Apnea<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy uses a machine to gently force air into the throat, preventing apneas. While CPAP therapy is highly effective, and it remains a popular OSA treatment, it isn\u2019t the only option for OSA sufferers. Many patients find that a custom <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pvcompletedentistry.com\/sleep-apnea.html\">oral appliance<\/a> from a dentist is more comfortable than a CPAP machine. Such an appliance gently repositions the jaw to keep the airway open and facilitate unobstructed breathing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Myth #5: Alcohol Can Help You Sleep Better<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>People with OSA might think that a nightcap can help them sleep better and wake more rested, but the opposite is true. Alcohol relaxes muscles through the body, including the muscles in the throat that are responsible for causing apneas. It\u2019s best for people with OSA to avoid alcohol during the last few hours before bedtime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Don\u2019t let common ideas about sleep apnea fool you! With a bit of research, you can arm yourself with all the information you need to understand this condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Meet the Practice<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Drs. Kristopher R. Harth and Eric L. Townsend lead the team at Ponte Vedra Complete Dentistry. They are trained to help patients recognize and address sleep apnea with oral appliance therapy. If you are concerned about the quality of your sleep, they would be pleased to speak with you. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pvcompletedentistry.com\/contact-us.html\">Contact our practice<\/a> at 904-285-7711.&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It is estimated that 22 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea. Given how common this condition is, it\u2019s surprising that there are still so many popular misconceptions about it. Let\u2019s set the record straight. In this blog post, we\u2019ll discuss five sleep apnea myths and the truth behind them.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-710","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>5 Sleep Apnea Myths and the Truth Behind Them<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"There are a lot of sleep apnea myths floating around out there. 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