Sleep apnea can have serious consequences when left alone, so you will definitely want to have it treated as soon as possible. But before that can happen, the disorder needs to be properly diagnosed by a sleep expert. Accurately identifying sleep problems can be tricky, but the good news is that there’s a way you can help with the process: by keeping a sleep diary.
What is a Sleep Diary?
A sleep diary is simply a record you keep of information related to your sleep. This record might include:
- The time you go to bed.
- The length of time it takes you to fall asleep.
- The time you wake up.
- How often your sleep was interrupted during the night.
- How rested you feel in the morning.
- How often you nap.
- How sleepy you feel during waking hours.
- How often and how loudly you snore.
How Can a Sleep Diary Aid with Diagnosing Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea causes pauses in your breathing while you slumber. Each pause can interrupt your sleep cycle by forcing your body to wake up for air. In other words, the disorder can make it very difficult to enjoy quality sleep.
In order to determine whether you have sleep apnea, an expert will need to gather as much information about your sleep as possible. This is where your sleep diary comes in; it allows you to keep track of your sleep patterns as well as symptoms such as daytime drowsiness and loud snoring. By reviewing this information, an expert can more accurately narrow down the nature of your problem. If they suspect you have sleep apnea, they may recommend having a sleep study performed so that a proper diagnosis can be made.
How Can Sleep Apnea Be Treated?
Once the presence of sleep apnea has been confirmed, you can start considering your options for treatment. More often than not, sleep apnea is caused by the airway being blocked in some manner. Thus, treating the disorder involves taking measures to keep the airway open.
One possible solution is to use a CPAP machine that delivers a constant stream of pressurized air down the throat. However, if you find this approach uncomfortable, you may want to consider asking your dentist for an oral appliance instead. Simply put, an oral appliance moves your jaw slightly forward, which makes it less likely for the tissues in your mouth and throat to collapse and block your airway.
Having sleep apnea treated promptly is essential for ensuring that you’re able to enjoy truly restful nights again. If you think you may have this sleep disorder, keeping a sleep diary and reaching out to an expert as soon as possible can put you on track to getting the care you need.
About the Author
Dr. Carl Gerner has more than 45 years of dental experience. He went to the Case Western Reserve School of Dentistry, and he is a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine. In addition to offering a wide variety of preventive and restorative dental services, he also provides oral appliances for patients struggling with sleep apnea. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Gerner at True North Dental Group in Plattsburgh, visit his website or call (518) 563-7620.