Sleep Apnea

FEBRUARY 2012



In recent years, specially educated dentists have taken on a greater role in the recognition and management of obstructive sleep apnea, a disease in which the patient stops breathing many times throughout the night.

Sleep apnea is a serious, potentially life-threatening condition in which an individual repeatedly stops breathing while he or she sleeps. The most common type of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is caused by a blockage of the airway. The upper airway may become obstructed by excess tissue in the airway. The obstruction may be located in the nasal passages, or the structure of the jaw and airway may be the cause of sleep apnea. During an apneic event, your body experiences an increased amount of carbon dioxide and a decrease in oxygen. This alerts the brain to open the airways. This alert is usually accompanied by a snort or gasp. These arousals can prevent you from getting a good night’s sleep. Many patients awake 40-60 times an hour due to apnea but are unaware of this upon awakening in the morning.

Virtually anyone can develop sleep apnea. It is estimated that over 15 million Americans have sleep apnea. However, sleep apnea is more often found in men than women. Individuals who snore loudly, are overweight, or have high blood pressure are at the highest risk. Some studies suggest that sleep apnea may also be hereditary.

Sleep apnea patients complain of a lack of energy, muddied concentration, decreased productivity, slowed metabolism, and general loss of quality of life. In addition to the obvious disadvantages of lost sleep, sleep apnea can lead to high blood pressure, heart attacks, strokes, and even sudden death. Sleep apnea dentists can correct obstructive sleep apnea by using an oral appliance. Oral appliance therapy repositions the lower jaw and tongue keeping the airway open and reduces or eliminates apneic events. The oral appliance is molded to the inside of your mouth and worn at night.

If you are not aware of a nighttime breathing problem, ask yourselves these questions:

•   Do you snore on a regular basis, or wake others in your household up?
•   Do you awaken frequently at night gasping for air?
•   Are you excessively tired during the day?
•   Do you fall asleep at unusual times during your day?
•   Do you have morning headaches or frequent sore throat or dry mouth?

If there is any question in your mind about sleep apnea, talk to your dentist. He or she can either help you with a diagnosis or steer you in the right direction.*

*Information taken from Copyright © 2010 I Hate CPAP!®, an Illinois Limited Liability Company.