As an expectant mother, you have a million thoughts racing through your mind in regard to protecting your unborn child. By being properly informed, though, you can better protect the fetus and enhance your overall wellness, too. One area of concern is proper sleep. Thus, if you feel a constant deficiency in this area, you could be suffering from obstructive sleep apnea in Lutz. If so, it’s important that you be examined and receive the necessary therapy. Read on to learn about this condition and how it can impact the health of you and your unborn baby.
What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)?
Sleep apnea is a temporary pause in breathing that can happen several times throughout the night. The most common form of the condition is OSA, which is the result of a partial blockage of the airway. A typical sign of poor airflow is loud snoring, as violent vibrations are caused from oxygen attempting to pass through the restricted airway.
Here are some other symptoms to be on the lookout for:
- Daytime fatigue
- Increased irritability
- Morning Headaches
- Nodding while performing tasks like driving, reading or working at the computer
OSA and Expectant Mothers
While untreated OSA can lead to such health-threatening issues as high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, diabetes, heart failure and obesity, there are even more negative side effects that pregnant mothers have to be concerned with.
Preeclampsia
A form of pregnancy-induced hypertension, this is a condition that can develop late in gestation, usually after the 20th week. Its symptoms include high blood pressure, severe swelling in the hands and face and increased protein in the urine.
Untreated, the condition can leave you and your baby with less oxygen, which can be life-threatening.
Gestational Diabetes
Another challenge from untreated OSA is gestational diabetes, which is the inability of the pancreas to regulate your blood-sugar levels. It is caused by hormones being secreted from the placenta that block insulin and prevent the body’s natural ability to process glucose.
While these conditions are extremely serious, the good news is they can both be improved through sleep apnea therapy.
Pay Your Dentist a Visit
If you suspect you have OSA, in addition to contacting your OB-GYN, you should also reach out to a local dentist to be tested for the condition. If the disorder is detected, a coordinated effort can be launched to make the necessary improvements so you and your baby can breathe better at night.
While the continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine is the most common way of treating sleep apnea, many people aren’t happy with the sound it produces or the way it feels while being worn. A more convenient alternative for sleep apnea treatment in Lutz is an oral appliance, which comfortably and quietly fits into your mouth to keep the airway open while you sleep and to prevent any pauses in breathing.
So to have a safer and healthier pregnancy, reach out to your local sleep dentist today.
About the Author
Dr. Jay A. Nelson is a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine, the American Sleep and Breathing Academy and American Board of Craniofacial Dental Sleep Medicine. He helps pregnant women and all other patients suffering from OSA get the rest they need at Nelson Dentistry and Dental Sleep Medicine, and he can be reached for more information through his website.