Obstructive Sleep Apnea - How Sleep Apnea Dentists Can Help

Sleep Apnea is a condition caused by a lack of air passing through to the lungs during sleep; it is an episode that lasts for more than 10 seconds. This deficiency of air leads to a decreased saturation of oxygen levels in the blood, which results in oxygen deprivation of the brain and other bodily tissues, known as Hypoxia. 

In order to normalize blood oxygen levels, the brain instructs a micro awakening and commands the body to reopen the airways. The person wakes up for a short time and commences breathing, often noisily at first, and then falls back to sleep. Quite often, the person has no memory of these micro-awakenings in the morning.

During sleep, the muscles of the pharynx (part of the throat that sits behind the mouth and nasal cavity) overly relax and obstruct the airway, which is what causes Sleep Apnea episodes. 

Such episodes can occur several times within an hour of sleep and any more than 10-15 episodes of Sleep Apnea within an hour is Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome. 

This syndrome divides the night's sleep into hundreds of small fragmented mini sleep, resulting in the person feeling exhausted as the body's systems have not had enough time to rejuvenate overnight. Oxygen deficiency also affects a person's metabolism, which is why an Obstructive Sleep Apnea sufferer wakes up tired, irritable, and usually has a headache.

According to the American National Sleep Foundation, Obstructive Sleep Apnea syndrome costs the United States more than $100 billion annually. This is a very common problem, however, it is not highly publicized, and therefore many people are unaware of its existence.

When it comes to the treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea, the gold standard is CPAP therapy, which involves wearing a CPAP mask during sleep. Approximately 50% of patients do not like CPAP therapy for a long period due to the intrusive nature of the CPAP mask. 

Furthermore, CPAP therapy is not recommended for mild and moderate forms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea syndrome. So, what is the recommended treatment for this?

Sleep Apnea Dentists Can Help Treat Mild Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

Sleep Apnea Dentists can help treat mild and moderate forms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea syndrome through dental devices, which can also be used with CPAP therapy for more effective results. 

Dental devices are easy to use, compact, effective, and affordable. The main function of these devices is to keep airways open to prevent Obstructive Sleep Apnea episodes. These oral appliances have been used in medicine for nearly 30 years and have continuously improved in technology over the years. 

The most significant improvements have been comfort-focused, namely the appearance of the device and materials used in construction.

There are three common types of dental devices worn in the mouth at night, and fitted by a dentist or orthodontist:

1. Tongue Retaining Devices (TRD)

These devices hold the tongue to ensure the airways are kept open.

2. OPA Devices (Oral Pressure Appliance)

These devices lift the soft palate (the tissue in the back roof of the mouth) and hold the tongue in a certain place to keep airways open.

3. The Mandibular Advancement Splines (MAS) or Mandibular Advancement Devices (MAD)

These are the most widely used oral devices for Obstructive Sleep Apnea syndrome. Their function is to hold the lower jaw in a forward position, thus allowing normal airflow to the lungs and preventing displacement of the lower jaw during sleep. As a result, the airflow is completely restored and the Obstructive Sleep Apnea episodes stop.

Modern Mandibular Advancement devices are individually made for the upper and lower jaws, and both are fixed to the jaws before bedtime. When attached to the jaw, this device creates an opening of the airways through the forward position of the jaw and tongue. 

The lower part of the device holds the lower jaw in a forward position at about 75% of the maximum forward movement. After two weeks of wearing this device, the patient undergoes a second re-examination in a sleep study. 

If required, the dentist can manipulate the device by moving the jaw forward several millimeters to further correct the issue.

The dental device is tailored to each person, as each mouth is unique. The methods used to ensure the correct device is made and fitted include: Cephalometry (measurement and study of the proportions of the head and face), computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, video endoscopy, and lateral Cephalometry of the patient with and without the device in their mouth.

A dental device is usually recommended in the following situations:

1. Mild or moderate forms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (episodes of Apnea less than 20 within an hour);

2. A patient's unwillingness to use a CPAP mask or undesirable results from using it;

3. A patient's unwillingness to do a surgical treatment or unsuccessful surgical treatment in the past;

4. Patient is in a healthy weight range (BMI- Body Mass Index is used to measure this);

5. Patient's willingness to use the dental device every night.

What to Consider Before Visiting a Sleep Apnea Dentist

Dental devices are not recommended in treating patients with Central Sleep Apnea Syndrome, as this type of sleep Apnea is not associated with the narrowing of the upper respiratory tract, rather is it closely related to heart and lung issues.

For patients with severe forms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea syndrome, the oral device is not enough, and such patients are treated with CPAP therapy.

There are also age restrictions; the oral devices are not suited to patients less than 18 years of age.

Diseases of the temporomandibular joint (the sliding joint that connects the jawbone to the skull) are quite common among patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea syndrome. However, today there is no reason to discourage the use of dental devices in patients with this disease. 

Studies show that side effects, such as pain in the temporomandibular joint and chewing muscles are rare, usually weakly expressed, and often only occur in the initial stages of using dental devices.

Bruxism is a more common disease among patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea syndrome. In such cases, the use of oral devices helps prevent abrasion of teeth and significantly reduces the motor activity of the chewing muscles during sleep.

According to the latest data, it was found that:

• Many patients prefer to use oral devices with and without CPAP therapy- 56-68% of patients continue to use oral devices for more than 30 months;
• The effectiveness of the devices depends on the design and manufacturing;
• Side effects of the use of devices are common but not critical- mainly salivation, uneasy sensations in the chewing muscles, and discomfort in teeth at the beginning of treatment.

Mandita has been a sufferer of Obstructive Sleep Apnea syndrome for many years, which caused loud snoring. As this is a sleeping disorder that is not widely spoken about, she found it hard to locate information to help her understand the causes and symptoms of the syndrome, and also the treatments available.

Now Listen Very Carefully Here:

Stop Snoring in 3 Minutes - Starting Tonight

These easy throat exercises defeated the most stubborn snoring and sleep apnea the very first night

I couldn’t believe it.

I did these simple throat exercises for three minutes in the morning and hardly snored at all the next night.

A few nights later, my snoring was gone entirely and had never returned.

This short video explains the easy exercises in detail. You can start using them within 10 minutes from now (right where you’re sitting) and treat your snoring as soon as tonight.

What Are the Disadvantages and Benefits of Using a CPAP Machine?

If you are a chronic snorer it’s likely that you have at this point tried everything in your power to stop snoring and possibly failed. Perhaps you are just looking as you still hold out some optimism that a remedy can be found for you.

The facts are that 20% of snorers go on to develop such severe sleep apnea that they must use some form of CPAP equipment (continuous positive airway pressure) to even get asleep.

Another fact is that sufferers of sleep apnea are 3 times more likely to suffer relationship/marital breakdown than non-sufferers — so it is a major problem that can have serious social consequences as well.

More often than not the use of CPAP machines is a solution of the last resort BUT it is highly effective if somewhat cumbersome. 

What most people complain about when using the equipment is often the ‘mask’ and how uncomfortable it is and sometimes the noise of the pump although in recent years the pumps are often inaudible which is a good thing!

The main drawback to using a CPAP is that for maximum effectiveness you have to sleep on your back and as you may be aware that snoring tends to stop or lessen if you lie on your side so you are fighting two battles at once.

You are ignoring your body's natural tendency to alleviate snoring by taking what I think is an unnatural sleep position to stop it and secondly being on your back perpetuates the problem — it’s a Catch 22 you’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t!

OK, now that we have gone over the disadvantages what about the benefits and why are they so popular? Firstly for severe snoring and sleep apnea, CPAP equipment does work and it is often much preferable to expensive and risky surgery.

A major advantage is that many users of CPAP machines are able to increase their quality of sleep so much that their blood pressure levels if they were high beforehand have been reduced as sleep deprivation, in case you aren’t aware is a major cause of high blood pressure!

Another major benefit is that severe sufferers within two weeks of using the machines feel less stressed and healthier plus their spouses are also less stressed.

Now, something to consider as well. Just because you may be thinking of using a CPAP machine does not mean to say that it is going to be for the rest of your life — Not so!

All you have to do is look at the number of used CPAP machines on eBay and other places and you will see that many previous owners may now have found a cure!

Also here is something important you don’t want to miss!

Stop Snoring in 3 Minutes — Starting Tonight

Today is a good day. Tonight will be even better.

Why?

Because you’re about to learn easy throat exercises that cure (not just treated) your stubborn snoring — in 3 minutes — starting TONIGHT!

…even if straps, sprays and even torturing CPAP masks have failed you in the past.

Most people heal their snoring in just a few minutes per day using these powerful throat exercises. And they’re so easy, you can do them, regardless of your age or physical shape.

Use them anytime, anywhere… even while stuck in traffic or watching TV. Plus the results are permanent!

To learn more and test-drive the easy snoring and sleep apnea exercises for yourself, click here…

The Risks of Snoring During Pregnancy

Are you pregnant and have been snoring lately? You could already be suffering from sleep apnea.

Pregnancy takes a woman scores of emotional and physical changes, which are primarily caused by hormonal changes — with estrogen being the dominant hormone during pregnancy.

An increase in estrogen reportedly makes the neck muscles relax and is compounded with the accumulated fats around the neck area causing snoring. Snoring during pregnancy usually occurs in the last four weeks of gestation (this accounts for 30% of pregnant women).

This is normal and a preferred sleeping position like sleeping on the sides usually alters this. Most pregnant women feel more relaxed when sleeping on their sides to avoid the weight of their bellies, especially during the third trimester.

Excessive or chronic snoring may be a sign of sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is characterized by a pause in breathing for about 10 seconds resulting in oxygen deprivation and further complicating preeclampsia. 

Preeclampsia is a condition that only happens during pregnancy and is associated with high blood pressure, proteinuria (a protein present in urine), and swelling.

Patients with preeclampsia may have any or all of the following symptoms: sleepiness during the daytime, headaches, blurred vision, abnormalities in liver function, and vomiting. If only one of these symptoms occurs, it is not a sign of preeclampsia.

Consequently, a study found that snoring during pregnancy is more common in women who have put on more of the ideal weight. 14% of the women who snored had pregnancy-induced hypertension. 52% of the pregnant women who habitually snored experienced edema (swelling) of the face, hands, legs, and feet compared to 30% who didn’t snore.

Meanwhile, oxygen deprivation in patients with sleep apnea has been correlated with growth retardation of the fetus and sometimes, death. 

If excessive snoring during pregnancy occurs, a physician’s advice needs to be sought because the condition could be devastating to the mother and unborn child.

Infants born to mothers who were snoring during pregnancy frequently had lower birth weight and Apgar scores (a test taken immediately after a baby is born regarding heart rate, breathing, reflex, muscle tone, and skin color). 

From this study, although the causes of preeclampsia are unknown, there seems to be a correlation between snoring, preeclampsia, and babies with lower birth weights.

An expectant woman’s condition is crucial to the development of the unborn child in the same manner that a pregnant woman also needs to take care of her well-being. 

Snoring during pregnancy is a sign of or could lead to poor physical health which could be harmful to the mother and baby. It is important that a pregnant woman undergoes regular prenatal checkups and reports any physical complaints to a physician.

Now Listen Very Carefully Here:

Stop Snoring in 3 Minutes — Starting Tonight

The Stop Snoring and Sleep Apnea Program is a straightforward program that teaches you a series of specific exercises that can eliminate your snoring for good. It’s a comprehensive system that comes with a variety of sleep solutions and 24 exercises.

However, the first step is to determine the type of snorer you are and use the corresponding regime. Don’t worry — the program guides you through the process of identifying the source of your snoring, so you can pick the appropriate regime to follow.

The exercises only take 3 minutes a day to complete and the program provides you with easy step-by-step instructions so you know exactly what to do.

To give you an idea of what you can expect from the program as a whole, here’s a more detailed look:

Diagnosing Your Snoring Problem

The first section of the program gives you an abundance of information about all types of snoring and why they happen. This helps you narrow in on the root cause of your snoring. It also covers the various forms of snoring and why they’re happening.

• Throat Closing Up
• Tongue Causing Snoring
• Nasal Problems
• Jaw Causing Snoring
• The Soft Palate Being Too Weak or Too Big
• List of Programs to Choose from

Since the program covers all forms of snoring, it provides you with different treatment plans for you to choose from. You can also choose which regime to follow based on how much time you have. These are the other options available:

• 3 Minutes a Day
• 7 Minutes a Day
• 12 Minutes a Day
• 18 Minutes a Day
• 30 Minutes a Day
• 60 Minutes a Day
• More than an Hour a Day

Exercises

You also receive a list of all of the exercises that make up the regimes mentioned above. You can create your own routine if you’d like or use this section to learn all of the techniques to see which ones you like best:

• 3 Jaw Exercises
• 5 Throat Exercises
• 3 Tongue Exercises
• 5 Body Exercises
• 2 Breathing Exercises
• 2 Relaxation Exercises
• 3 Attitude Exercises
• 1 Communication Exercise

Sleep Positions

The program also provides you with some proper sleep positions that can further help eliminate your snoring.

• 2 Sleep Positions

Additional Topics

• The Philosophy Behind the Program
• What Causes Snoring
• How the Exercises Work
• Secondary Exercises
• Recommendations For Completing The Seven Programs Included

Here is a video that explains it better than I can

Sleep Apnea and COVID-19

Sleep Apnea is a common nighttime breathing disorder that affects more than 15 million Americans. Sleep apnea affects men and women of all ages; even children can suffer from sleep apnea.

Without treatment, living with the disorder may cause significant complications including daytime sleepiness, increased risk of heart attack and stroke, mood disorders, and poor daytime function. 

Most people who have sleep apnea do not realize that they have the condition; even though their sleep is frequently interrupted throughout the night.

People suffering from sleep apnea will wake often throughout the night due to their oxygen being restricted or completely cut off. When apnea sufferers awaken, normal breathing is restored; however, they do not enter a state of complete wakefulness.

The apneic events can continue unnoticed because sufferers do not fully awake or recognize they are waking throughout the night. With sleep apnea, breathing may temporarily stop or become shallow hundreds of times during a night’s sleep.

Sleep Apnea and COVID-19

Recent research suggests that people with sleep apnea may be at greater risk of getting COVID-19, and at risk of having more severe symptoms if they catch the virus. 

A study in Finland found that 29% of patients admitted to the hospital with coronavirus had sleep apnea, while only about 3% of the general population had the condition.

A review of the literature on the subject confirmed connections between sleep apnea and coronavirus. 

However, some of the conditions and lifestyle choices that increase the risk of sleep apnea also increase the risk of CODIV-19:

• Obesity
• Alcohol use
• Smoking
• Increased age
• Underlying diseases

That means that it is not possible at this point to tell whether sleep apnea itself is a risk factor for COVID-19. It might be simply that sleep apnea and COVID-19 share risk factors. People who are obese and elderly might be more likely to experience sleep apnea and also more likely to have severe cases of COVID-19.

Researchers in the UK saw worse outcomes, including death, in COVID-19 patients who also had sleep apnea. 

While they hesitated to draw strong conclusions, partly because the condition is under-diagnosed in Great Britain, they strongly encouraged people with sleep apnea to be especially vigilant about wearing masks and practicing social distancing.

Action Steps

Stop Sleep Apnea in 3 Minutes — Starting Tonight

Today is a good day. Tonight will be even better.

Why?

Because you’re about to learn easy throat exercises that cure (not just treated) your stubborn snoring — in 3 minutes — starting TONIGHT!

…even if straps, sprays and even torturing CPAP masks have failed you in the past.

Most people heal their snoring in just a few minutes per day using these powerful throat exercises. And they’re so easy, you can do them, regardless of your age or physical shape.

Use them anytime, anywhere… even while stuck in traffic or watching TV. Plus the results are permanent!

To learn more and test-drive the easy snoring and sleep apnea exercises for yourself, click here…

Learning How You Snore Can Disclose Why You Can't Find a Quality Anti Snoring Solution

Snoring is really a sleeping illness that a number of individuals endure on a daily basis. While no one intentionally chooses to snore, it has become a disorder that a number of sufferers make sure to be aware of as well as prevent. 

It has also been determined that if you can determine how you snore it will reveal the reason you can't find an anti-snoring solution.

Clearly, it is impossible for you to determine the way in which you snore if you are asleep. As odd as this may sound, you may perhaps want to take into consideration recording yourself on video while sleeping to capture everything that happens while you sleep. 

This can easily lead you to eye-opening ideas and an understanding as to why you snore as well as what you can do to discover a good anti-snoring treatment.

Seeking the opinion of a medical professional is another great option to consider. They may recommend you stay overnight at a clinic for tests and observations to get a better idea of what is happening. This is something you will have to think about and discuss with your doctor.

The majority of people tend to snore while their mouth is open. If you find that you are snoring with your mouth open and can't stop snoring, this is most likely related to the tissues in the throat. anti-snoring options to prevent tissues and muscles in the throat from rubbing up against each other.

Even though it's very rare, there is quite a number of people that snore with their mouths closed. This is normally something related to the tongue. 

The good thing is you can find a tremendous variety of treatment plans plus techniques you can pursue in order to get rid of snoring brought on by the tongue.

For the most part, people that snore seem to do so while sleeping on the back. This is not rare and it's a minor situation which can simply be fixed. You might need to enhance your sleep routine and possibly make a few lifestyle changes to fix the problem. 

For instance, you may need to work out more, stop smoking, lose some weight or even avoid drinking right before bedtime.

However, if you can't stop snoring and are still suffering from symptoms in all sleep positions, chances are, your snoring is more severe than you originally thought. 

If this is you, you may perhaps need to seek a more thorough anti-snoring treatment and certainly discuss the issue with your doctor. What lots of people tend not to understand is snoring could be a load on your health if you are not careful.

Snoring is actually something a large number of people encounter at some point in their life. Although it can lead to significant health problems, frequently it is nothing more than a modest inconvenience. If you can't stop snoring, try to find out how you are snoring so that way you get the right anti-snoring treatment.