Drooling can be an embarrassing problem, especially if you have a bed partner. However, the reason it happens may not be your fault. If you also struggle to sleep soundly throughout the night and wake up frequently gasping for air or choking, it might be that your drooling habit stems from a chronic condition known as sleep apnea. Read on to learn more about this common issue and how you can get help.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a condition that affects millions of people in the United States. The most common form is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and it occurs when a blockage forms in your airway while you sleep. As a result, you stop breathing. This causes your brain to alert your body of its need to breathe. Many patients wake up gasping for air or choking only to fall back asleep and repeat the process over and over throughout the night.
Without proper treatment, these frequent interruptions can wreak havoc on your overall health, increasing the chances of developing cardiovascular disease, chronic fatigue, and more.
What Are the Symptoms of Sleep Apnea?
One of the reasons many individuals do not seek treatment for sleep apnea is because they are unaware they have it in the first place. Some of the symptoms can be closely tied to other health problems, so it’s important to know what to look for so that you can seek help sooner rather than later.
If you or your partner notice any of the following, don’t hesitate to see a sleep expert:
- Chronic daily fatigue
- Forgetfulness
- Moodiness
- Loud snoring
- Waking up choking or gasping for air throughout the night
- Ceased breathing for 10 or more seconds
- Loss of libido
- Morning headaches
- Drowsy driving
- Drooling
- Mouth breathing
- Sore throat or sounding hoarse
How Can It Be Treated?
The moment you begin to feel like you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms, get in to see a sleep dentist who can provide the necessary treatment.
The process will begin with a scheduled consultation that requires you to meet with a professional who will go over your overall health history and current medications. After performing a sleep study and analyzing the findings, you will receive a formal diagnosis if evidence is found that you do have OSA.
A comprehensive treatment plan will then be crafted that includes an explanation of how they plan to treat your sleep apnea. This might require using a CPAP device or customized oral appliance. In the most severe cases, surgical intervention might be necessary.
Many individuals prefer the convenience, ease, and portability of an oral appliance, as it is simple to use and only requires that you wear it while you sleep. But no matter which solution you move forward with, trust that by addressing the issue, you’ll spend more time getting the rest you need and less time feeling embarrassed by your drooling habit.
About the Practice
At Star Sleep & Wellness in Frisco, our team of sleep experts and specialists bring decades of experience and skill to change the way people approach life and their quality of sleep. Using safe and effective treatment solutions to address inadequate rest and ceased breathing, we make it possible for patients to feel confident when it comes to going to bed at night. Contact us if you want to curb your embarrassing habits and find out if sleep apnea might be to blame.