Does the lack of sleep you are getting affect your health and daily life? Most would agree that a lack of sleep can be harmful to your health and well-being. One of the most common sleep problems is obstructive sleep apnea.

About Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Nearly 30 million adults in the United States have obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a chronic condition that occurs when your muscles relax during sleeping, allowing soft tissue to collapse andblock the airway. This results in repeated breathing pauses which reduces oxygen levels. Common signs of sleep apnea include snoring and gasping or choking sounds while asleep.

How important is it to treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Very! If left untreated, sleep apnea can cause excessive tiredness or fatigue, morning headaches and memory loss. Untreated sleep apnea raises your risk for serious health problem including:

-High blood pressure
-Stroke
-Heart Disease
-Diabetes
-Chronic acid reflux

Diagnosis is determined by a sleep specialist who provides you with a complete sleep evaluation either overnight at a sleep center or a home sleep apnea test. The doctor will then interpret the date from your sleep study to make a diagnosis.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatment

Treatment options for sleep apnea include continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, oral appliance therapy, and surgery.

-CPAP therapy is often used for patients with a severe sleep apnea. This therapy treatment does involve wearing a face mask attached to a running machine.
-Oral appliance therapy uses a mouth guard design device which is worn during sleep to help maintain an open, unobstructed airway.
-Surgical option include a variety of procedures that all have varying side effects and success rates

Benefits of Oral Appliances:

-Significant reduction in apnea particularily if patients sleep either on their stomachs or backs.
-Improvement in sleep for many patients.
-Reduces snoring and the loudness of snoring in most patients.
-Many consider an oral appliance to be more comfortable to wear than a CPAP mask.
-Oral appliances are portable, quiet, and east to take care of.

Get Help!

Talk to your doctor about treatment options for sleep apnea. Ask if oral appliance therapy would be a solution for you. in the state of Minnesota you need to have a sleep study completed in order to have an oral appliance made. Dr. Jenny is trained in making the appliance for you! It is likely you will sleep better, regain your energy, and feel sharper throughout your day. Don’t go another night of interrupted sleep!

http://www.aadsm.org/oralappliances.aspx
http://www.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/sleep-apnea/dental-devices.html