Why Does Everyone Have Sleep Apnea All of a Sudden?

You probably don’t remember knowing anyone with sleep apnea growing up, and even in adulthood, the condition wasn’t on your radar. But over the past decade or so, it seems that more and more people in your orbit have this serious sleep disorder. What changed? And more importantly, what can you do to make sure you’re not one of the 22 million Americans struggling with this condition each night?

A Growing Problem

With sleep apnea, a person experiences brief but frequent interruptions in breathing throughout the night. This forces the body to partially wake up and never reach the deeper, more restorative levels of sleep, causing someone to wake up feeling exhausted despite getting a full night’s rest.

While there are several lifestyle and genetic factors that contribute to someone’s likelihood of having the disorder, the most common one is excess weight. Chart after chart and study after study have shown that as the world has become more obese, the rate of sleep apnea has risen in tandem.

How Are They Connected?

If a person is overweight or obese, this can lead to excess tissue developing on the throat. So when they lay down, and the muscles in the mouth and upper airway naturally relax, the tissue can place pressure that causes the flow of oxygen to become cut off. This is called Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), and it accounts for the vast majority of cases.

What You Can Do

Research has shown that as a person loses weight, their sleep apnea symptoms will often follow suit, reducing until they go away entirely in some cases. Of course, everyone knows that losing weight is extremely difficult, especially if you’re chronically tired!

That’s why most doctors recommend that a person receive sleep apnea treatment as soon as possible ifthey want to go on a diet and exercise program. Simply put, this will ensure they are well-rested and have the energy/willpower to follow through with a new routine.

While CPAP therapy is the most prescribed sleep apnea treatment, a method that is growing in popularity is oral appliance treatment. Rather than having to sleep while connected to an air pump (which can be very uncomfortable), a patient simply wears a custom-made mouthguard to bed that slightly repositions the lower jaw. This prevents the airway from closing off, leading to deep, uninterrupted sleep.

With the new year just around the corner, millions of people will dedicate themselves to losing weight, but getting their sleep under control might be the missing piece. Taking the first step toward a healthier life is the most important one, and for many, their journey should start with a sleep dentist.

About the Author

Dr. David G. Banda earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at the University of Michigan and is an active member of the American Dental Association and the Academy of General Dentistry. He has helped many sleep apnea patients finally get the rest they need using his oral appliances, and he would love to make you feel great in the morning again. To learn more about sleep apnea and what an oral appliance could do for you, reach out today to schedule a consultation.

by: Dr. David Banda at January 14, 2025.