Two studies published in the Journal of the American Medical Association suggest a link between treating obstructive sleep apnea and reducing high blood pressure. Obstructive sleep apnea is a common disorder in which the soft tissues of the mouth and throat relax during sleep and drop back into the throat. This blocks the airway leading to loud snoring (partial blockage) and complete stoppages of breath (full blockage). The oxygen deprived sleeper will briefly waken to gasp for air and immediately fall back asleep.
Patients suffering from sleep apnea can suffer these stoppages of breath many times each night. Each time this happens the body becomes starved for oxygen which stresses the cardiovascular system. Small wonder that sleep apnea is linked to stroke and cardiovascular disease.
The studies looked at treating sleep apnea using CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) which is highly effective for those patients who can tolerate it. Unfortunately about half of patients prescribed CPAP cannot sleep with the machine and leave their sleep apnea untreated.
There is another highly effective treatment available to patients who are CPAP intolerant. An oral appliance created by a dentist who is specially trained in the field of dental sleep medicine can keep the airway open during sleep. Oral appliances are designed to work with your body to keep you breathing all night long.
If you experience loud snoring, daytime sleepiness and weight gain you may have undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea. If these symptoms sound familiar or if you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea but are CPAP intolerant please contact Beverly Hills sleep apnea dentist Dr. David Frey at 310-276-4537 today to schedule your consultation. You can improve your health, regain your energy and feel good again!
