My sister suggested I talk to a dentist about a problem my husband is having. We don’t have dental insurance, so before I spend a fortune on an appointment, I just want to make sure that a dentist is really the right way to go for this. Every night, while he is sleeping he seems to stop breathing and then gasp for breath. It happens in a second. In the morning, he has no memory of this. Last night, it took longer for him to gasp and I actually had to shake him awake. I’m a bit worried and have trouble sleeping because I feel like I need to keep checking on him. Can a dentist really help this?
Myrtle
Dear Myrtle,
I am glad you wrote. Your sister is correct, a dentist can help you. It sounds like your husband is dealing with obstructive sleep apnea.
When your husband is sleeping, his tongue is relaxing so much that it is blocking the air passage. When the air passage is partially blocked, then you get snoring. When it is fully blocked, you get the halt to his breathing. The gasping comes as a survival reflex from his brain, which wakes him up just enough to take another breath. That is why he doesn’t remember it in the morning.
I’m willing to bet he is tired in the morning, even after a full night’s sleep. That is because he is not actually getting a full night’s sleep. After a sleep study, your husband can be fitted for an appliance that will keep that passage open.
It is important that this is treated. Sleep apnea is hard on his body. It’s probably driving up his blood pressure and will put additional stress on his heart. He’ll find that once his sleep apnea is dealt with, he feels worlds better.
This blog is brought to you by Hilton Head Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Bonnie Rothwell.
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