Sleep Apnea
Often snoring is symptom of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), caused by changes in your upper airway while you sleep. Your airway may narrow limiting the airflow as you breath. Your solft tissue may vibrate (this is the noise of snoring), or it may completely collapse causing you to stop breathing. Collapsing of the tissue is called an obstructive apnea, and may last for 10 seconds or more. Your airway may even move through all (normal, partial closure/snoring, total collapse) three stages during the night.
There are several factors that allow the jaw to fall back including poor muscle tone, weight gain, and sleep postion. There are other factors that can affect apnea episodes that are regulated by the brain, but for our discussion we are only dealing with OSA. The more frequently this occurs during the night the more serious the condition. An index has been created-Apnea/Hypopnea Index- to characterize the severity. An AHI of 5-15 is mild, 16-30 is moderate, and 30+ is severe.
Several medical conditons are associated with sleep apnea. People with OSA are 4 times more likely to have a heart attack. 90% of stroke victims also suffer from OSA and are at a 40% greater risk for depression. If you have OSA you are twice as likely to die in your sleep and 7 times more likely to have a motor vechile accident. also, people with OSA are more likely to be sexually impotent and develop diabets. So it is a condition to be taken seriously.
How does one determine if their snoring is actually sleep apnea? sleep studies can be done at either a sleep clinic under medical supervision or in you own home with an appliance obtain from your doctor. the home study can only measure OSA with the sleep clinic evaluation your central nervous system input is evaluated. Either will help you learn if in fact you do suffer from sleep apnea.
Treatments include life style changes to include weight loss, exercise, retiring and arising at the same time each day, no caffine, nicotine, or alchol within 4 hours of bedtime. Establish a soothing routine before bedtime; sleep on a comfortable bed/pillows in a dark, quiet, cool room. Only use the bedroom for sleeping and intimacy, no t.v., computers, or loud music. these are some helpful hints for better sleep.
The gold standard of treatment is with a C-PAP, continuous positive airway pressure, and will most likely be what your M.D. will prescribe. These masks work well but ARE a mask with a hose and electric motor. It is neither convenient nor sexy and you cannot talk, drink water, or sleep in any position desired. It does not travel well as it is contained in a fairly large carry bag.
The alternative to the C-PAP is a mandibular advancement splint. This is a dual arch appliance the upon closure of the lower jaw advances the mandible and opens the airway. they are very comfortable and you can speak, drink, or sleep in any position with the appliance in place. They do not create a noise to disturb your sleep partner. They are fabricated from models of the mouth with special bite registrations for proper jaw positioning. Most health insurance companies partially cover them with a sleep apnea diagnosis. They are indicated for patients with a mild or moderate diagnosis and for those patients who have tried the C-PAP and could not tolerate it.
If you have been diagnosed with OSA and do not want to use a C-PAP give us a call for an alternative that is more comfortable and conveneint. It's your health and your life-live it to the fullest!