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Showing posts with the label sleep disturbances

How a Speech Language Pathologist Supports Obstructive Sleep Apnea Care

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Obstructive sleep apnea is one of the most common yet often undiagnosed sleep disorders. It occurs when the muscles of the throat relax too much during sleep, causing the airway to narrow or collapse. This leads to pauses in breathing, snoring, gasping, and frequent nighttime awakenings. Beyond being disruptive, these repeated interruptions in sleep reduce oxygen levels and place long-term stress on the body. Left untreated, obstructive sleep apnea increases the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and even cognitive decline. Many people first notice its effects through daytime fatigue and concentration problems, without realizing these symptoms are tied to disturbed sleep patterns. Addressing this condition goes far beyond improving nightly rest; it’s about protecting long-term health and overall well-being. Why Sleep Health Requires a Whole-Patient Approach Healthy sleep is a cornerstone of physical and mental health. When the body doesn’t receive restorative rest, i...

Sleep Disturbances and Your Health: What You Need to Know

Sleep is essential for overall well-being, but many people struggle with disturbances that affect their quality of rest. Issues like teeth grinding, snoring, and TMJ headaches can interfere with sleep and lead to long-term health problems. Understanding the connection between these conditions and sleep disturbances is key to finding effective solutions. How TMJ and Teeth Grinding Affect Sleep Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders often cause discomfort, headaches, and jaw pain that make it difficult to fall or stay asleep. Many individuals with TMJ disorder also experience grinding teeth in sleep , which can worsen jaw tension and contribute to morning headaches. If left untreated, this can result in chronic pain, fatigue, and increased stress on the body. TMJ-related sleep disturbances can also impact breathing patterns. When the jaw is misaligned, it may put pressure on the airway, leading to fragmented sleep. This may lead to daytime drowsiness, concentration challenges, and a he...