If you snore loudly and often, you know the social implications of your problem. It’s bad enough when your spouse can’t sleep in the same room with you, but when your travel companions stop inviting you places because they can’t get a decent night’s sleep, it may be time for you to do something about it.
Even if you have become accustomed to middle of the night elbow jabs and alot of bad jokes, snoring is no laughing matter. It is a signal that something is wrong with your breathing during sleep. It means that the airway is not fully open and the log sawing noise that you make comes from efforts to force air thru narrow passages.
Over 20 million Americans suffer from apnea and don’t even know it!
What is Snoring?
Snoring is a breathing noise caused by the vibration of the soft tissues at the back of the mouth and sides of the throat. It happens when the muscles of the tongue and throat are not effective in keeping the airway open.
Snoring is a warning sign that breathing is not normal and may not be adequate to maintain proper health. Daytime attentiveness and energy can decline and snoring can sometimes be the first sign of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
Remember that snoring is not the same as apnea and is caused by a vibration of the tissues due to air turbulence as the airway narrows. This may be a sign of apnea but not all snorers are apneic.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Apnea is a Greek word that means shortness of breath. An apnea episode is the absence of breath for 10 seconds or more repeatedly during the normal seven hour sleep cycle. Coughing or choking sensations, which force you to wake up or get elbowed by your partner are common signs.
Any airway obstruction places a strain on the cardiovascular
(heart) system. Untreated sleep apnea (OSA) increases the risk of heart attack and stroke, shortens life, and diminishes your quality of life.
What are the common signs of Snoring and Apnea?
- Dosing off in front of the television
- Morning headache
- Lack if interest in family hobbies or activities
- Dry mouth and throat
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Sudden short of breath wakening, gasping, choking
- Loss of interest in sex
The whole family can suffer when any family member has a sleep problem.
Why consider a dental appliance?
Appliances have been shown to be very successful in the treatment of snoring and also used for mild to moderate obstructive apnea. The advantages are that the appliances are non invasive and acceptable by patients. Appliances are particularly appropriate for those patients who cannot tolerate a CPAP machine. CPAP stands for Continuous Positive Air Pressure. These devices are used for more severe apnea cases.
Airway in Children
Chronic breathing problems during a child’s sleep have been shown to affect children’s physical, intellectual and emotional growth. Chronic airway problems often result in crowded teeth, narrow mouths, and difficulty getting their lips together. Many children with airway concerns have long standing bed wetting issues and problems focusing in school with a lack of alertness.
A thorough ear, nose, and throat exam are a priority. Any asthma and allergy concerns need to be diagnosed and controlled. Often a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy may be needed to eliminate airflow obstructions.
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