Medically Related Problems

The New England Journal of Medicine (April 1993) has stated that Sleep Apnea is a major public health problem. Their comments include,’ Among specific sleep disorders, the most serious in terms of morbidity and mortality is obstructive sleep apnea’ and ‘…it is time for the nation to wake up to the staggering impact of sleep disturbances on the health and welfare of our society, an impact that rivals that of smoking.’

Researchers still don't understand the exact mechanism by which sleep rejuvenates our bodies, but they do know that sleep plays a vital role in health and that our bodies cannot survive without sleep. Researchers also know that most Americans will have at least one short-term sleep problem in their lives. Many will develop chronic problems. The most common is Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea is characterized by the cessation of breathing for more than ten seconds. These incidences can happen many times per hour and hundreds of times in a night’s sleep. When breathing stops the snoring stops… until the sleeper gasps for air. The patient will awaken from sleep many times, but not be aware of it. Sleep patterns (going through the four stages of sleep) become fragmented. Some people will stop breathing for well over a minute at a time. When breathing stops oxygen does not get into the lungs and consequently the blood oxygen levels drop dramatically.

Because of the disturbances in their sleep patterns (fragmented sleep) rest and rejuvenation is not achieved. These people feel sleepy during the day and will fall asleep at inappropriate times. It is believed that over 50% of auto accidents occur as a result of people falling asleep at the wheel while driving! Their daytime performance, concentration, and ability to learn suffer. They may appear depressed or irritable.

When a sleeper gasps for air, abdominal muscles contract violently fighting to get oxygen into the body. As a consequence, stomach acids can be forced into the esophagus (throat) and mouth. Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) characterized by burning, warmth or heat behind the breastbone can become a chronic problem. Waking with a bad taste in your mouth may indicate that the acids have made it to the oral cavity. Not only can this acid eat into your teeth faster that a cavity, but can also create enormous damage to your existing dentistry.

When blood oxygen levels drop your body responds by forcing the heart to work harder and pump more blood at greater pressures to protect vital organs. Heartbeats may become irregular, straining to such a degree that a heart attack can occur. It is estimated that 50% of sleep apnea patients have high blood pressure. A stroke can occur when the supply of blood oxygen to the brain is partially or completely cut off. Sleep apnea patients can wake with headaches due to the lack of oxygen during the night as well as fragmented sleep.

Try to hold your breath for a minute, 30 seconds, or 15 seconds…and do it many times an hour. See if you notice changes in your body…you will! Treating your sleep apnea problem is likely to help these medically related problems.

Snoring and Sleep Apnea can be managed with the CPAP alternative!
Call Philadelphia Dental Sleep Medicine now to help with healthier sleeping!
215-735-8844