Sleep Apnea Treatment
Sleep apnea is a major health concern for millions of Americans and should not be ignored. Snoring is often identified with sleep apnea. People with untreated sleep apnea stop breathing repeatedly while sleeping. The most common symptoms of sleep apnea are- Loud snoring
- Awakening in the morning and not feeling rested
- Headaches in the morning
- Memory and concentration difficulties
- Changes in personality ( severe anxiety and depression)
- Falling asleep during the day
- Insomnia
- High blood pressure
- Hyperactivity (in children only)
There are two major types of sleep apnea: obstructive and central sleep apnea.
Central sleep apnea occurs when the brain “doesn't tell” the breathing muscles to help in the breathing process, which leads to big pauses of apnea, which can lead to dead. For this reason, central sleep apnea is far more dangerous than obstructive sleep apnea. It is rare and usually associated with trauma and severe neurological problems .Central sleep apnea is best treated with CPAP or continuous positive air pressure. CPAP is a device that is attached to the mouth and/or nose to assists in unobstructed breathing through positive air pressure. Consult with your physician immediately if Central Sleep Apnea is suspected.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common form. OSA is a serious medical condition that affects an estimated 18 million people in the United States, according to American Academy of Sleep Medicine (ACSM). It is caused by airway blockage while you are asleep. "Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the tongue and soft tissues in the back of the throat collapse and block the airway during sleep, which produces pauses in breathing and prevent air from getting to the lungs. These pauses can occur a few times or several hundred times per night" said Dr. Kent E. Moore, president of the Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine."
Obstructive sleep apnea is more often found in male gender, overweight individuals, people with high blood pressure are at higher risk too. Some studies suggest that sleep apnea may also be hereditary.
Diagnosis of sleep apnea is first established by the physician. This may involve a sleep test polysomnogram (PSG), a special series of tests where the patient sleeps overnight in a sleep center. During a PSG test, a patient's body functions, including breathing patterns, blood oxygen supply, brain function, and muscle activity, will be closely monitored. Depending on each patient's diagnosis, treatment for sleep apnea may be as simple as a lifestyle change such as weight loss or change in diet. Other patients may benefit from a specially designed oral appliance. More severe cases of apnea may require CPAP or surgery to prevent upper airway obstruction.
Oral Appliances
In co-operation with the physician, a trained dental specialist can often successfully treats the problem with a simple oral appliance, a custom fitted device that moves the lower jaw and tongue forward in order to open the air passages.
This oral appliance keeps the airway open during the
whole night. There are many kinds of oral appliances but all serve the same purpose.A follow-up sleep test may be needed to verify that the Oral appliance is effective. Regular check ups with the dentist for adjustment and maintenance of the appliance is required.
If you do not have sleep apnea, but only a snoring syndrome, you can still benefit from a snore-treatment device. Many patients report better, deeper restful sleep, more energy during the day and better emotional condition.
Please, don't hesitate to contact us and schedule your free initial sleep apnea treatment consultation.
