Are you drowsy during the day with no explanation? Do you snore loudly or wake up breathless in the middle of the night? If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, you may be one of more than 12 million Americans who are affected by sleep apnea.
What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a condition in which your breathing stops periodically during sleep, as many as 20-30 times per hour. Each time you stop breathing in your sleep, the resulting lack of oxygen alerts your brain, which temporarily wakes you up to restart proper breathing. Since the time spent awake is so brief, most people with sleep apnea don't remember it, and many believe they are getting a good night's sleep when, in fact, they are not. The constant wake-sleep, wake-sleep cycle prevents those with sleep apnea from achieving deep sleep, resulting in a constant drowsy feeling during the day.
What are the signs of sleep apnea?
The following symptoms can indicate the presence of sleep apnea. If you notice one or more of these, contact our practice.
- Insomnia or difficulty sleeping
- Loud snoring at night
- Waking up at night short of breath
- Snorting or choking sounds during the night (indicating a restart of breathing)
- Headaches upon waking in the morning
- Falling asleep unintentionally during the day
- Extreme drowsiness throughout the day
Are there different types of sleep apnea?
There are three categories of sleep apnea. The most common is called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and occurs due to a physical blockage, usually the collapsing of the soft tissue in the back of the throat. Less common is central sleep apnea (CSA), in which breathing stops because the muscles involved don't receive the proper signal from the brain. And some people suffer from "mixed" or "complex" sleep apnea, which is a combination of obstructive and central.
What are risk factors for sleep apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea is more common in males than females, and more common in older adults (40+) than younger adults and children. However, anyone — regardless of gender or age — can suffer from sleep apnea. Other risk factors include obesity, smoking, drinking, use of sedatives or tranquilizers, and family history. Central sleep apnea strikes most often in people with heart disorders, neuromuscular disorders, strokes, or brain tumors.
Is sleep apnea dangerous?
Sleep apnea is considered a serious medical problem and if left untreated it can lead to high blood pressure, increasing the risk of heart failure and stroke. The ongoing state of fatigue caused by sleep apnea can lead to problems at work or school, as well as danger when driving or operating heavy machinery. Sleep apnea can also cause complications with medication or surgery; sedation by anesthesia can be risky, as can lying flat in bed after an operation. If you know or suspect you suffer from sleep apnea, let your family doctor know before taking prescribed medication or having surgery.
How is sleep apnea treated?
Treatments for sleep apnea depend on the severity of each individual case, and the type of apnea. Basic treatment can be behavioral — for instance, patients are instructed to lose weight, stop smoking, or sleep on their sides instead of on their backs. Beyond that, oral devices can be used to position the mouth in such a way that prevents throat blockage. In more severe cases, surgery may be the best option.
What should I do if I suspect that someone in my family suffers from sleep apnea?
Contact our practice, and we can refer you to a sleep apnea specialist. The specialist may recommend a sleep study to diagnose the precise extent of the problem, and can prescribe appropriate treatment. Depending on your situation, treatment may involve an oral device that we can custom-create for you.
For the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), SomnoDent is worn during sleep to maintain the unobstructed state of the upper airway by increasing its dimensions and reducing collapsibility.
SomnoDent is a custom-made appliance, comprised of upper and lower dental plates with a unique, patented, fin-coupling component, which allows normal mouth opening and closing.
SomnoDent is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, making it easy to carry when traveling. The appliance is comfortable and easy to wear. Most people find that it only takes one or two nights to get used to it.
The Advantages of SomnoDent
- Permits normal mouth opening
- Allows speech and drinking
- Safe and effective
- Clinically validated
- Custom-fit
- Full lip seal
- Easily adjustable
What is obstructive sleep apnea?
Do you snore? Are you often tired or sleepy during the day? Have you ever been told you stop breathing while you sleep?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be at high risk for obstructive sleep apnea.
OSA has been linked to excessive tiredness, depression, and reduced resistance to infection. When left untreated, OSA can increase the risk of heart attack, hypertension, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, catching colds, and even death. It can have a significant impact on quality of life, placing unnecessary strain on relationships between bed partners, family, and the work place.
If you have OSA or display symptoms of OSA such as loud snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness, fatigue, and witnessed apneas, it is essential that you seek the right treatment option. Ask our office if SomnoDent is right for you.
Does snoring or sleep apnea keep you up at night? The Thornton Adjustable Positioner (TAP) might be your key to a snore-free, restful night of sleep. It treats sleep-disordered breathing without the need for surgery, a CPAP mask, or medication, and is recommended for use by the American Association of Sleep Medicine (AASM).
The TAP appliance is non-invasive and fully adjustable to create the jaw position that best treats your symptoms. The device holds your lower jaw in a forward position so it does not fall open during the night and allow the airway to collapse. The TAP is clinically proven to treat high upper airway resistance syndrome as well as all levels of obstructive sleep apnea, including severe sleep apnea.
Why choose the TAP?
- Comfortable, custom fit
- Durable construction
- Easy to use
- Adjustable while in the mouth
- Patient can adjust at home and achieve maximum treatment results from night to night
- Smaller and less bulky than other oral appliances
- Convenient for travel
- No masks or straps
Snoring Prevention
While snoring is a common problem for many people, it can also be a sign of other major health complications. It is estimated that more than 80 million people in North America snore while sleeping, which not only affects the quality of sleep of the person snoring, but also the quality of sleep of their loved ones and other family members. Luckily, there is a way to treat chronic snoring.
What causes snoring?
Snoring can be the result of several factors. Typically, snoring is caused by the relaxing of the muscles and soft tissues in the throat and mouth, making the air passage smaller. The decrease in space through the airway makes it harder for each breath to get through, and when it does get through, it moves over the soft tissues in the mouth and throat and causes a vibration that results in the snoring sound. Other causes of snoring may include:
- Excess body weight
- Alcohol consumption
- Certain sleep aides or sedatives
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
What is a Mandibular Advancement Device?
If you snore at night, then a mandibular advancement device (MAD) may represent a solution and a better night's sleep! The MAD is a specially designed dental device that gently helps keep the lower jaw, or mandible, in a forward position, increasing the space between the airway passage and helping you breathe better so you can get a full, quiet night's sleep.
Some devices also stop the tongue from falling back over your windpipe. Your dentist will fit these special appliances to meet your individual condition.
Is a MAD comfortable?
The answer is simple — YES! A mandibular advancement device is made to be comfortable, so that you can sleep without even noticing you're wearing it. It does not prevent you from breathing with your mouth open and will even eliminate snoring for patients with sinus congestion or allergies. You may experience some slight stiffness of the jaw for the first few mornings after wearing the device, but this feeling is only temporary, and will go away after you wake up and remove the device.
To learn more about a mandibular advancement device, contact our practice and schedule an appointment and consultation.
