Sleep Apnea is a serious, potentially life-threathening sleep disorder that affects about 18 million Americans. It refers to episodes in which a person stops breathing for 10 seconds or more during sleep. WIth each episode, the sleeper's brain briefly wakes up in order to breath resulting in poor quality sleep.
There are two type of sleep apnea:
1) Obstructive Apnea: During sleep the muscles in the walls of your throat relax to the point where the airway collapses and prevents air from flowing into you nose and mouth. This is the most common type
2) Central Apnea: Breathing interruption during sleep are caused by problems with teh brain mechanism that control breathing
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea:
Those with sleep apnea does not remember waking up during the night. Indications of problems: Morning headaches, Excessive Daytime sleepiness, Irritability and impaired mental or emotional functioning, Excessive snoring, choking or gasping during sleep, Insomnia, Awakening with dry mouth or sore throat.
The difference between snoring and sleep apnea:
Those with sleep apnea stop breathing completely for 10 seconds or more about 10 to 60 times in a single night. If the snorer snores loudly followed by periods of silences than a snort or choking sounds prior to resuming breathing they have a sign of sleep apnea
Why is sleep apnea a concern?
Studies show those with sleep apnea fatigued during the day that it can affect their driving making them act as if they are drunk. If left untreated can lead to impaired daytime functioning, high blood pressure, heart attack and even stroke.
Dental Treatment options?
Along with working with a sleep medicine specialist, there are different type of dental appliances that can be used: TAP (Thornton Adjustable Positioner) reposition the lower jaw and tongue allow better airway flow in mild obstructive sleep apnea patients.
For severe sleep apnea patient the CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) system is the common device prescribed for therapy. It delivers air though a small mask that covers the nose. It provides constant pressure keeping the airway open and prevents both snoring and episodes of apnea. Other options can be surgery.