Obstructive sleep apnea affects millions of Americans and most don’t even know they have it. Untreated obstructive sleep apnea is linked to heart attack, stroke, sexual dysfunction, weight gain, depression, diabetes and increased risk of accident. It is a serious problem that many people choose to ignore.
How do you know if you should get screened for obstructive sleep apnea? Answering a few simple questions is a good way to start: Do you snore? Do you experience extreme daytime sleepiness? Have you ever been told that you stop breathing during sleep or that you snort or gasp during sleep? If you answered yes then you should schedule an appointment for screening.
The problem occurs during sleep when the soft tissues of the mouth and throat relax and collapse, blocking the airway and stopping breathing. As the brain becomes deprived of oxygen it will briefly waken the sleeper to begin breathing again but these waking episodes will not be remembered in the morning.
A review funded by the Department of Health and Human Services Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality found that wearing an oral appliance and using continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) were the most effective treatments for obstructive sleep apnea. Treatment using CPAP and oral appliances worn at night were backed by the strongest evidence. The report stated that weight loss and surgery may also be effective but the evidence behind these treatments was not as strong.
The researchers at Tufts Medical Center found that air pumped through a mask while the patient is asleep (CPAP) is highly effective in improving symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea. Unfortunately about half of the patients prescribed CPAP find sleeping with the mask and machine impossible. Luckily the report also found that a mandibular advancement device, an oral appliance created by a specially trained sleep apnea dentist was also very effective.
If you think you might have the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea or have been diagnosed with sleep apnea and are CPAP intolerant or simply find the machine difficult to use every night please contact Beverly Hills sleep apnea dentist Dr. David Frey at 310-276-4537 today to discuss your treatment options. We’ll be happy to schedule a sleep apnea consultation to see if you are a candidate for an oral appliance.
