Signs and Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
Snoring is usually associated with sleep apnea, but not everyone who snores has it. The sound made when a person has untreated sleep apnea is much more severe—it sounds like they are choking or gasping breathlessly.
Other signs that you might have sleep apnea is waking up with a headache or dry mouth, having nighttime heartburn, restlessness, fatigue, and frequent urination. These signs are all generally associated with pregnancy, but if you’ve noticed these become regular occurrences, it won’t hurt to contact our Kenilworth sleep dentist, Dr. Dani.
Can Sleep Apnea Influence Your Child’s Health?
Sleep apnea is common amongst pregnant women. One study by the National Institute of Health found that around 30% of women suffer from sleep apnea during their pregnancy. Even though it is common, it can still negatively impact the health of you and your child.
Sleep apnea deprives your and your child’s bodies of oxygen. Lack of oxygen can increase your chance of having heart failure, obesity, stroke, or high blood pressure.
Since your body is the sole source of nutrients and protection for your little one, anything that affects you also affects your child. Some of the negative consequences you or your child may experience due to untreated sleep apnea are as follows:
- Gestational diabetes
- Fetal growth restrictions
- Pre-eclampsia
- Unplanned Caesarean sections
- Prolonged labor
Fortunately, Dr. Dani and the rest of our staff at Kenilworth Dental Associates offer proper treatment and care plans that will increase your chances of having a healthy baby.
What Treatment Options are Available?
Sleep apnea on its own is a dangerous condition and needs treatment, but because of the adverse effects it can have on your unborn child it is essential to seek help as soon as possible.
Currently, the standard treatment for sleep apnea is known as Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), but there are other alternatives for patients who aren’t able to adjust to their CPAP machine.
A useful tip for expecting mothers who suffer from snoring or sleep apnea is to focus on sleeping on their sides. This advice is a method of positional therapy that will help her prevent snoring and lower the chances of her sleep apnea symptoms appearing.
In extreme cases of untreated sleep apnea or cases that began treatment too late, surgical procedures such as a tracheostomy will be required to ensure the mother and child receive the proper amount of oxygen.
Sleep Better Again
If you would like to learn more about snoring and sleep apnea treatments that are appropriate during pregnancy, please give us a call at 847-268-3439 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Dani. If you’d rather, you can fill out the submission form and a member of our staff at Kenilworth Dental Associates will get back to you right away.