Protect Against The Dangers of Sleep Apnea with Proper Treatment

Sleep Apnea Treatments

HOW IS OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA TREATED?

Traditionally, a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine would have been prescribed for people diagnosed with sleep apnea. While this device is effective if used properly, its bulk and accompanying facemask can prove too unwieldy or uncomfortable for the average patient. Dr. Gillespie can prescribe an alternative treatment, called an oral appliance, which sleep apnea patients wear during sleep. This custom-fabricated appliance will ensure proper jaw and tongue position and keep your airway open throughout the night. If you have sleep apnea, an oral appliance could restore the deep, uninterrupted REM sleep you may have been living without.

Don’t ignore the signs of sleep apnea. Being evaluated and receiving treatment is easier than you might think. To start the process, call our office today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Gillespie. If indicated, he can refer you to a sleep lab, and if it proves necessary, provide a custom oral appliance that will allow you to sleep deeply and without interruption from sleep apnea. What are you waiting for?

 
Dangerous side effects of sleep apnea
 
 

SLEEP, SNORING, AND SLEEP APNEA

BY DR. GILLESPIE, F.A.G.D.

PUBLISHED IN THE LEADER NEWS

Sufficient rest and sleep are fundamental to your overall health! It is a basic physiological drive. You need air. You need water. You need food. And you need sleep! In a 2005 survey by the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), 75 percent of adults had at least one symptom of a sleep problem such as snoring or waking a lot during the night. If you are concerned with your sleepiness level, please complete the Epworth Sleepiness Scale on our website, www.libertyhilldental.com, under For Our Patients.

Here are some other statistics of interest:

  • People who lack regular high quality sleep increase their chances for a heart attack by 23 times. It is 11.1 for those who smoke!

  • Newer studies show that sufficient sleep deprivation has been compared to a blood alcohol level of 0.10. You are legally drunk at 0.08.

  • Four hours of sleep plus one beer equals eight hours sleep plus six beers

  • A drop from seven hours of sleep to five hours, doubles your risk of cardiovascular death

  • Over 40 percent of Americans sleep less than five hours a night

  • People with sleep deficiencies suffer from a number of issues that lead to weight gain. 100 percent of the contestants on “The Biggest Loser” get treated for sleep apnea.

  • 40 percent of adults snore; two-four percent suffer from obstructive sleep apnea

  • Sleep apnea sufferers are 300 percent more likely to be involved in a fatal car accident.

  • People that suffer from sleep apnea suffer from elevated blood pressure

  • Researchers at the Mayo Clinic found that by treating one person’s sleep apnea and snoring allowed their spouse to get up to one additional hour of sleep each night during the same amount of time in bed.

  • Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a medical condition that requires a physician diagnosis prior to treatment. OSA is caused by a blockage of the airway, usually when the soft tissue in the rear of the throat collapses and closes during sleep. With each apnea event the brain briefly arouses the person to resume breathing.

Treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea usually starts with continuous positive airway pressure device (CPAP). A great percentage of patients cannot or choose to not wear their CPAP even though the delivery systems have become much more comfortable. It is estimated that only 30 percent of people with a CPAP actually wear them. An alternative to this treatment is an oral appliance prescribed by a dentist.

Oral appliances are very effective for mild to moderate sleep apnea. Oral appliances are also a good alternative for those with severe sleep apnea who will not wear a CPAP. Oral appliances usually include parts that fit over the lower and upper teeth that work together to move the lower jaw forward thereby opening the airway. Some people have reported oral appliances are more comfortable than CPAPs.

If you or a loved one snores or is concerned about sleep apnea, contact us. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea and will not wear a CPAP, definitely call us. We can help. We work with medical doctors to help get you back on track. Please visit our website, www.libertyhilldental.com to see more articles like this or to email us directly. You may also find us on Facebook.

Until next time, go Panthers!