Obstructive Sleep Apnea-Cause and Treatment Options
Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common of the three forms of sleep apnea. Apnea, in Greek, literally means without breath. OSA can strike anyone, but the most frequent suffers are individuals between the ages of 45-65. It is caused by an obstruction in the air passageway. The throat consists of very soft tissue that can collapse when the body is relaxed during sleep. Obesity in the throat area can often be a contributing factor here because of the increased pressure on the trachea. Many people who suffer from this condition due struggle with weight problems, although this is not universal, and there is no absolute proof that obesity alone is the ultimate cause of the disorder.The most common type of sleep apnea is known as obstructive sleep apnea, so named for the obstruction of the air passage that causes a temporary cessation of breathing. The soft tissues in the throat become too relaxed and collapse, obstructing the flow of air. This is often due to obesity in the patient, although not all sufferers of the disorder are obese per se. Most people who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea are 45-65 years of age, with many of them experiencing symptoms for many years before they realize that they have OSA.
There are several symptoms of OSA, some occurring during daylight hours, and others occurring at night. The most noticeable daytime symptom is excessive drowsiness. No matter how long the person sleeps, he or she never feels truly rested in the morning, and may experience an impairment of motor skills on top of a general feeling of lethargy. The person may also be highly irritable at times, and experience wild swings in mood. Nighttime symptoms include loud snoring, restless sleep, and waking up at odd hours.
Many people dismiss the drowsiness they are feeling as being the result of stress or overexertion. Other symptoms such as waking up at weird hours, or snoring very loudly, may not be consistent enough to warrant attention. Few immediately suspect they have obstructive sleep apnea until they mention one or more of the symptoms to a doctor, who then recommends they get tested for the disorder at a special sleep disorder test center. Centers like this specialize in diagnosing the type of sleep apnea a person has, and the severity of the condition. Severe obstructive sleep apnea is characterized by more than 30 missed breaths per hour. Moderate OSA is characterized by anywhere from 15 to 30 breaths being missed, and mild cases are characterized by 5-15 missed breaths.
The most common treatment prescribed for obstructive sleep apnea is the use of a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machine, or CPAP, machine. This machine has a mask that covers and seals the mouth and nose of the patient, blowing compressed air into the airway and keeping it open. It is a highly effective device, but has its drawbacks for many patients who find the mask too uncomfortable. New alternatives to CPAP are being developed that offer more comfortable treatment options for people suffering from mild and moderate cases of OSA.
One of these options is a new device known as the SomnoDent MAS. ™ This device works like a mouth guard, fitting over the upper and lower teeth and pushing the lower jaw forward just enough to put tension on the trachea. This tension in turn keeps the airway open and allows the patient to breathe normally. This device is comfortable, discreet, and custom-made to the mouth of the patient. It has been clinically proven to work just as well as CPAP in all but the more severe cases of the disorder.
For more information on this exciting new treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea, visit our main website for more information available through the following links:
Sleep Disorders
Sleep Apnea Treatment Options
Sleep Apnea Oral Appliances
Obstructive Sleep Apnea Surgery
If you think you might have sleep apnea, call our office toll free at 1-888-790-0309 for a referral to a sleep disorder test center. We are located in the Medical Center in Houston, TX and work with patients from all over the Houston area, including The Woodlands, Magnolia, Conroe, Spring, and Tomball.
Labels: obstructive sleep apnea, sleep apnea, SomnoDent MAS
posted by Dental Expert at
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