Most of us have experienced trouble sleeping at some point of time in our life. This is usually normal and temporary. There are many factors that trigger sleeping problems including stress the medications you take, or even the amount of coffee you drink, anxiety and depression.
While we generally hear several temporary reasons for sleeping problems, researchers in a new study have found that the sizes of the tongue and tonsils can be the reasons why some people are suffering from sleep problems.
Researchers discovered that having oversized tonsils and indentations on the tongue put people at an increased risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The said indentations are teeth markings that signify that the tongue is too big for the mouth.
With this, it may be said that the more appropriate time to assess OSA is during an appointment with the dentist instead of sleeping time at night.
Over 18 million adults in the U.S. suffer from sleep apnea, but majority of these cases are not diagnosed. Specialists in India say sleeplessness is a very common problem in India too but most of the cases go unreported. Severe forms of the disorder are associated with diabetes, cardiovascular disease, memory loss and depression, among others.
Patients who are obese are said to have 10 times more risk of reporting OSA symptoms than non-obese individuals.
Whom to consult?
If you notice any unusual changes in your sleep, it is advised you see your physician for a primary diagnosis. Generally, dentists, though not officially eligible to diagnose OSA, they have the ability to identify whether or not patients have enlarged tonsils or tongue and to subsequently recommend them to a specialist.