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These terms describe parts of the continuum of airway collapsibility expressed as sleep-disordered breathing. This spectrum ranges from slight vibration of tissues at its mildest to death from asphyxiation at its severe extreme. Between lies pathologic snoring and periods of complete airway closure and breathing cessation called “apnea”.
One with this condition basically stops breathing for a few seconds – or longer – while he or she is at rest. This causes the body to suddenly awaken, even if the sleeping person does not realize he or she is “jumping” from sleep. Because this interrupts the sleep cycle necessary for a restful slumber, the individual with sleep apnea wakes up feeling out of sorts and groggy.
Sleep apnea affects people of all ages, although it is found more often in those who are male, overweight or obese, over 40, have a larger than average neck size, have enlarged tonsils, have been diagnosed with GERD, or have a nasal obstruction.
Some of the most serious chronic diseases of man have been associated with snoring and sleep apnea, including: stroke, hypertension (high blood pressure), myocardial infarction (heart attack), arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), cardiac arrhythmias (irregular pulse), diabetes, gastro-esophageal reflux disorder (GERD), polycythemia vera (thickening of the blood) and others.
Sleep disordered breathing also disrupts the normal patterns of brain activity and relaxation, precluding restorative sleep. Overwhelming daytime sleepiness contributes to the risk of accident and injury from decreased attention span, judgment and reflex. The risk of automobile accident in the untreated sleep apnea patient is about 8 times that of the normal sleeper. Work productivity and safety suffer.
During the increasing muscular relaxation of deepening sleep, the airway can become increasingly flaccid. The relaxing tongue falls back, sealing against the back of the throat during the sucking, negative pressure of the attempt to take a breath. Snoring is the vibration of the uvula, soft palate and throat walls against the tongue during the inspiratory phase of breathing, with reduced airflow due to increased resistance. As collapsibility increases, complete closure can occur.
In either narrowing (hypopnea) or closing (apnea) events, oxygen levels of the blood can drop precipitously triggering a response of the brain to prevent asphyxia. This “sympathetic discharge” of adrenaline, corticosteroids and other agents raise blood pressure, pulse rate, muscle activity and brain activity to protect the unconscious sleeper from death.
The sleep apnea patient may have these events occur up to 600 times or more per night resulting in fragmented, non-refreshing sleep as well as chronic activation of the sympathetic nervous system. This activation is thought to be the reason for such devastating long-term negative effects on cardio-pulmonary health. Untreated for nine years, sleep apnea patients may lose 20-50% of lifespan.
Oral appliance therapy is an effective treatment option for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). A custom-fit oral sleep appliance can improve your sleep, restore your alertness and revitalize your health.
How common is this disorder?
Recent research estimates that about 1/3 of the population has some form of sleep disordered breathing which is a spectrum of severity from mild snoring to complete closures of the airway (obstructive sleep apnea) to death from asphyxiation.
17% of the population has obstructive sleep apnea, and in the age groups over 60 years, the occurrence rate doubles. Sleep apnea is made worse with increasing body weight. As the obesity rates are rising in the United States, so is the incidence and severity of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
Custom oral devices for the treatment of Snoring, Obstructive Sleep Apnea and TMJ
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a serious and potentially life threatening disease. At Respire, we have developed a range of oral sleep devices designed to assist patients in the treatment of this condition.
When selecting an oral sleep device we believe that one design is not suitable for all patients needs. At Respire we have developed a range of products designed to meet these requirements. Each recognizable device has a different function, and each with a different color.
Dental Patient Testimonials Los Gatos
1. Neck circumference in cm (2.5 X inches) 2. History of high blood pressure (treated or not) ADD 4 3. Snoring ADD 3 4. Gasping or choking in sleep (observed or awakened) ADD 3 | ENTER MEASUREMENT ADD 4 ADD 3 ADD 3 |
Custom oral devices for the treatment of Snoring, Obstructive Sleep Apnea and TMJ
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a serious and potentially life threatening disease. At Respire, we have developed a range of oral sleep devices designed to assist patients in the treatment of this condition. When selecting an oral sleep device we believe that one design is not suitable for all patients needs. At Respire we have developed a range of products designed to meet these requirements. Each recognizable device has a different function, and each with a different color.Rahimi Dental Group • Specialty Dental Services –
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