“Sleep is the best medicine” is a very common phrase that you may have heard your doctor or even your parents say. As we dedicate one-third of our life to sleep, we all know that sleep is important, but do you know how lack of sleep impacts your overall health? Sleep deprivation plays a significant role in the inflammatory process, even causing increases in inflammatory markers such as cytokines, interleukin-6, and C-reactive protein.
Additionally, sleep deprivation affects your body’s ability to clean beta-amyloid protein from your brain—a process that happens during deep sleep. Chronic sleep deprivation can lead to a continued buildup of these proteins and cause inflammation, increasing your risk for Alzheimer’s and dementia.
What Causes Sleep Deprivation?
Sleep deprivation can be caused by a number of common factors in our day-to-day life, including stress, smoking, or obesity. Those who are consistently sleep-deprived are at the highest risk for this increased inflammation and chronic disease.
Other, less-discussed causes of sleep deprivation can be sleep-disordered breathing and obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), a common chronic disorder that disrupts breathing during sleep, is one of the most commonly undiagnosed medical conditions in America, with an average of 75% of severe cases being undiagnosed.
How Your Dentist Can Help
At Complete Health Dentistry of Columbus, we offer sleep apnea screening to all our patients. Sleep apnea can sometimes be treated with an oral appliance made by an airway dentist, depending on the severity of your condition. Starting with a sleep apnea screening at home can have a huge impact on your overall health!
Obstructive Sleep Apnea can take 10–15 years off your life! To learn more about sleep apnea screening in Columbus, contact us today to schedule an appointment at Complete Health Dentistry of Columbus.
Complete Health Dentistry of Columbus, located in Columbus, OH, offers a more comprehensive approach to your dental care so you can live a life of optimal oral and systemic health. As a complete health dental practice, we offer a wide range of services to support and guide you. Whether you seek a traditional dentist, cosmetic dentist, or a complete health dentist, you've chosen the right place! For further information, questions, or to schedule an appointment, contact the office at (614) 412-0916.