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Most people think that snoring is nothing to worry about, and in many cases it's not. It appears to be just another nuisance to overcome, but sometimes it is more than that. Frequent, loud snoring may be a sign of sleep apnea, which is a common and potentially serious disorder in which your breathing repeatedly stops and starts as you sleep. Although treatable, sleep apnea may often go unrecognized, which can be extremely dangerous and detrimental to your health. If left untreated, sleep apnea can increase your risk of high blood pressure, heart attacks, and diabetes. It is vital that you visit your dentist if you suspect that you may suffer from sleep apnea, or snoring. Your dentist has the ability to prescribe dental devices to help with your symptoms. What is Sleep Apnea? Sleep apnea is a type of breathing disorder which is a serious, and potentially life-threatening condition characterized by brief interruptions of breathing during sleep. There are three types of sleep apnea: * Central - the upper airway is open, but no oxygen is getting into the system.
* Obstructive - the lungs and the diaphragm are functioning normally, but no oxygen is entering the system because there is an obstruction in the upper airway.
* Mixed - this is a combination of central and obstructive sleep apnea. The signs and symptoms of OSA include snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness, gasping or choking during the night, non-refreshed sleep, fragmented sleep, clouded memory, irritability, personality changes and morning headaches. What is Snoring? The severity of snoring varies from person to person. While it is not life threatening, it may interfere with a good night's sleep for you and those in your household. You can minimize snoring with the help of dental devices as well as: * Lose weight
* Quit smoking
* Limit or avoid alcohol use and sedatives
* Sleep on your side instead of your back Snoring or gasping sounds are caused by the vibration of relaxed, floppy tissues that line the upper airway or throat. As you sleep, muscle tone decreases throughout your body and your throat muscles relax, which causes the soft palate and the uvula to vibrate as you breathe. Oral Appliance Therapy for Sleep Apnea In September 1995 the American Sleep Disorder Association endorsed oral appliance therapy as the third currently acceptable treatment modality for snoring and sleep apnea. The largest number of patients suffering from obstructive sleep apnea is in the mild to moderate categories and should be treated with oral appliances. Despite the fact that treatment with the CPAP unit is extremely successful, there are a number of patients who cannot or choose not to wear the face mask with the attached air compressor. For these patients, oral appliances provided by a dentist trained in sleep disorders are proving to be an excellent treatment option. There are three types of oral appliances available for treatment of sleep apnea: * Soft palatal life appliance
* Tongue retraining device
* Mandibular repositioner If you experience any symptoms associated with snoring or sleep apnea, consult your Prior Lake dentist for proper diagnosis and treatment. Don't ignore your lack of sleep. Get treatment now and you can potentially prevent any further complications and rest peacefully.
Sean Hartmen writes for leading childrens dentist Prior Lake, Dr. Thomas Morgan. Offering a wide spectrum of services including dental implants, teeth whitening, sedation dentistry and Invisalign, Dr. Morgan, dentist in Prior Lake, is qualified to handle any dental need for patients of all ages.
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