Fort Worth Snoring & Sleep Center Blog

Millions of people in the U.S. suffer from blindness or severe vision impairment. For some of them, cataracts or accidents led to their disability. For others, though, diabetic retinopathy is the root cause of their problem. Of course, individuals with diabetes can lower their risk of retinopathy by doing their best to manage their condition. But there is another thing they can do — get high-quality sleep. Let’s talk about research that links sleep apnea in Fort Worth to eye problems and what you can do to protect your vision.

Secondhand smoke is a dangerous mixture that consists of more than 7,000 chemicals, hundreds of which are known to be toxic — 70 of them are even carcinogenic. Clearly, if you smoke, you should do everything in your power to protect your loved ones from secondhand exposure. It is particularly vital to protect children. This blog post is going to discuss just one risk that secondhand smoke presents to young ones — sleep apnea.

Throughout recent years, both casual observations by medical professionals and formal research have found a connection between anxiety and sleep problems. In fact, one study found that anxiety is present in roughly half of people with sleep apnea. Is it just a coincidence that these do conditions are often found in the same people, or is there some sort of cause-and-effect relationship between anxiety and sleep apnea in Fort Worth? Let’s talk about this important topic.

A few decades ago, sleep apnea received little attention. Perhaps many people were not aware of what it is or why it is so dangerous. That has changed. Data indicates that in recent years, the number of people starting treatment for sleep apnea has significantly increased. Greater availability of education about the disorder may be part of the reason for the uptick in diagnoses, but there may be more to the story. Let’s talk about some common risk factors for sleep apnea and how you can keep your risk as low as possible.

A recent recall of CPAP machines from Philips Respironics affected millions of patients. Were you among them? If so, it’s understandable if you are thinking about other ways in which you may be able to address your sleep apnea. The good news is that you may be a candidate for oral appliance therapy from a sleep dentist. What is an oral appliance, and what advantages does one offer? Let’s answer those important questions.

If you suffer from obstructive sleep apnea, you are probably already taking steps to manage your condition. You might use a custom oral appliance, sleep on your side, and be diligent about keeping allergens in your home to a minimum. However, there is even more you can do. Let’s talk about some foods that have the potential to worsen your symptoms. Cutting back on them might just help you sleep better!

Do you struggle to fall asleep at night? Many people with sleep apnea do. To help them drift off, they may occasionally (or regularly) use sleeping pills. Such pills can relax your mind and spare you from tossing and turning in bed for hours before you finally get some shuteye. They might seem like an ideal way to help your body get the rest it needs. But are they? Well… no, they are not, especially if you have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Let’s talk about why individuals with OSA should stay away from sleeping pills.

More than one-third of the homes in the U.S. have a dog, while about one-fourth have a cat, according to a survey by the American Veterinary Medical Association. Indeed, our culture places a high value on our furry friends. Some people even spoil their pets by allowing them into their bedroom — many even share a bed with their dog or cat. If that’s true of you, you might wonder how this arrangement is affecting the quality of your sleep. Do pets and sleep apnea have a positive or negative relationship? Let’s talk about these important topics.

The human brain is one of the most wonderful and complex creations in the universe. Unfortunately, though, it is also quite delicate. Even something as simple as not getting enough high-quality rest could drastically affect its ability to function. Let’s talk about the connection between sleep apnea and brain health and what you can do to keep your brain working its best.

Have you been feeling tired lately? Do you find it difficult to sleep? Do you often wake up with a headache or sore throat? It is possible that you are suffering from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Getting an accurate diagnosis can be your first step on the road to receiving the treatment that you need to achieve more restful sleep. But how can you receive such a diagnosis? Let’s talk about the role a sleep diary may play in helping your doctor determine the cause of your sleep problems.