Snoring and sleep apnea are remarkable common problems that affect a surprisingly large segment of the population. As many as 20 million Americans can suffer from this condition, with 80-90% of them undiagnosed. According to the findings of the Wisconsin Cohort Sleep Study, 9% of women and 24% of men had apnea, making it as common a health problem as diabetes in North America.
What is sleep apnea? What are the risks? There is a disturbance where breathing breaks or ends briefly during sleep, which causes a lack of oxygen in the body. Many snores also suffer from sleep apnea, although most do not realize it. Apneas, which are the actual respiratory arrest breaks, can last anywhere for 10 seconds to minutes at a time and may occur 5 to 30 times an hour during sleep.
It is of two types: obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), where an airway often collapses or blocks during sleep, and central sleep apnea, where the brain does not transmit the correct signals to breathe. Obstructive sleep apnea is more common and obese and overweight people who snore have a higher risk of having OSA.
This condition is dangerous due to the symptoms. It can increase the risk of high blood pressure, insomnia, mood disorders, irregular heartbeat, heart attack, heart failure, stroke, obesity and diabetes. It can also lead to sleepiness and lower awareness during everyday activities like driving, which may be dangerous to you and others.
There are a number of options for treating OSA. These include lifestyle changes, surgery, medication, CPAP and dental options, such as oral devices.
Sleep Position: In some cases, snoring and sleep apnea only occurs when a person is sleeping in certain positions. Using another pillow or sleeping order can prevent these breathing stops.
Consistent Fitness Routine: Losing weight is often a solution for OSA, because overweight or overweight people are much more likely to suffer from the condition. Also, exercise increases energy levels, overall health and quality of life.
Medicine: Different drugs may be effective at opening the airway and preventing sleep apnea. These include current nasal decongestants, nasal steroid sprays, thyroid medication, antidepressants and diet medication.
CPAP: Continuous positive air pressure (or "CPAP") is a mask that keeps the airways open with air pressure. Although generally considered an effective non-surgical option, CPAP may be difficult or inconvenient for some users
Surgery: In some extreme cases surgery may be performed to increase airways. This is not guaranteed to cure sleep apnea and is at risk for surgery.
Oral Appliance Therapy for Sleep Apnea - Oral appliances, or dental appliances, provide much more portability and comfort than the CPAP device. Oral device therapy for snoring and sleep apnea means a dental care that fits in the mouth, holds the tongue and jaw forward and the gum upward. The device is specially designed to keep the airway open and prevent obstacles during sleep. These devices are tailored to the individual's mouth and specially equipped to help with optimal treatment results.
Dental devices have the highest levels of compliance compared with other therapies and are reported to be very effective in treating mild to moderate apnea. They are also effective for serious this when used in conjunction with CPAP. In order to function, they must be properly equipped by a dentist who will ensure that the device stays in the mouth and gives maximum benefit. They have higher compliance than CPAP devices because of their comfort and ease of transportation.
To learn more about how dental devices can help relieve your sleep apnea symptoms, contact a professional who can help you diagnose and treat your disease. A qualified professional will work with you to determine how difficult your condition is and what treatment strategy is best for your circumstances.