Sleep Apnea
Obstructive Sleep Apnea Therapy
Problem
Excessive nighttime snoring, breathing difficulties, choking, cease of breathing, tossing/turning/kicking/jerking and daytime fatigue, drowsiness, headaches.
Solution
Oral Appliance Therapy may be a solution for those who are C-PAP intolerant.
Examples of Oral Appliances:
Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders
It has been estimated that as many as 40% of the us adult population suffer from some form of sleep disorder.
Sleep disorders can range from mild snoring to the more serious Sleep Apnea. Sleep Apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder because breathing repeatedly stops during sleep. 90 million Americans suffer from some form of a sleep disorder. Of those, 31% of males and 21% of females have a high risk of having Sleep Apnea.
Several types of sleep apnea exist, but the most common type is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), which occurs when your throat muscles intermittently relax and block your airway during sleep (see diagram below). The most noticeable signs of OSA are breathing difficulties and snoring. Some other symptoms may include but are not limited to choking, tossing/turning, kicking/jerking, fatigue, drowsiness and headaches.
Sleep disorders can lead to serious health problems for the snorer, spouse, or other family member whose sleep may be disrupted. Some common health problems associated with sleep disorders and sleep deprivation include:
- Hypertension
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Heart Attack
- Stroke
- Lung Hypertension
- Drowsiness
- Impaired Memory
- Fatigue
- Job Impairment
- Car Accidents
- Impotence
- Anxiety/Depression