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Symptoms
Epworth Sleepiness Scale |
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CPAP
Problems
The CPAP Alternative |
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| Medically
Related Problems |
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| Video on Understanding Sleep Disordered Breathing |
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Headaches,
Facial Pain
TMJ /Occlusal Dysfunction |
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Obstructive
Sleep Apnea
Obstructive
Sleep Apnea is the most common sleep disorders affecting 18 million
people in the United States. First described in the mid 1960’s,
sleep apnea comes from the Greek language meaning ‘want
of breath’. Sleep apnea is characterized by loud or heavy
snoring interrupted 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 chokes and gasps for air. They will awaken briefly,
sometimes violently, interrupting their sleep patterns and in the
morning will have no memory of these incidences.
Interruption of sleep patterns and reduced blood oxygen levels causes
people with sleep apnea to have a higher association with high blood
pressure, strokes, diabetes, and chronic daytime sleepiness. It
has been found that daytime sleepiness can be attributed to many
auto accidents. Early recognition and treatment are important. See
the Medically Related
Issues tab for more information.
Obstructive sleep apnea can occur at all ages and to both sexes,
but is more common in men with an additional 20+ pounds of weight.
It appears to increase with age and effects 5% of middle aged men.
Family history as well as signs of bruxism (grinding your teeth)
may increase your likelihood of sleep apnea. The physical characteristics
of your throat and tongue can also play a role.
Our office has a monitor that you can use at home to screen your
sleep for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. However, the diagnosis
of obstructive sleep apnea is usually made by a sleep specialist
(M.D.) who may perform a sleep study (polysomnogram -PSG). A polysomnogram
records brain activity, muscle activity, heart functions, breathing
functions, and blood oxygen levels while you sleep. This test is
used to diagnose what type of sleep apnea exists…obstructive,
central or mixed and its severity. Mild sleep apnea is characterized
by 5-15 apnea events per hour. Moderate sleep apnea is characterized
by 15-30 events and severe sleep apnea is characterized by 30+ events
per hour.
The most common treatment is Continuous Positive Airway Pressure
(CPAP). The CPAP user wears a snug fitting mask that allows an air
compressor to force air into the airway. The pressurized air keeps
the airway open like a balloon allowing the person to breathe. Patient
acceptance and usage is varied. Many find it cumbersome and troublesome.
Many who are CPAP intolerant or just refuse to use CPAP will seek
an alternative in an oral appliance for snoring and sleep apnea.
In fact, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine has come to recommend
oral appliances for managing snoring and sleep apnea in patients
with mild and moderate sleep apnea and those severe cases where
a patient refuses to use CPAP or is CPAP intolerant.
Some patients with sleep apnea may need surgery or chose it as a
treatment option. Although several procedures exist to increase
the size of the airway, success rates are not encouraging and all
surgery has risks. Sometimes multiple surgeries may be needed before
any positive effects are seen. CPAP therapy and ‘the CPAP
alternative’, oral appliance therapy are both non-invasive.
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 |
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