Snoring and Sleep Apnea

Dangers of snoring & sleep apnea

It has been estimated that 90 million people in America have breathing problems leading to snoring and sleep apnea. Snoring is not just a nuisance; it is a serious health risk. Cardiovascular disease is the number two cause of death in America and patients who suffer from snoring and sleep apnea have a higher incidence of heart attacks and strokes due to high blood pressure as a result of lack of oxygen.

Tired woman asleep in her car due to sleep apnea

Woman covering her ears while her husband snores in bed

Snoring occurs when the tongue partially blocks the airway while the patient sleeps on their back. Sleep apnea occurs when the tongue completely blocks the airway. Both situations are harmful since the patient is deprived of oxygen. Some patients actually stop breathing for 30 seconds or more many times each night gasping for breath. When they are deprived of oxygen a patient may have problems getting to sleep, waking up frequently at night, morning headaches, ear aches, nighttime grinding of teeth, loss of memory, difficulty concentrating, and fatigue.

Daytime Fatigue Quiz

The number one sign of an apneic event is daytime fatigue. It increases the potential for both industrial and traffic accidents. To see if you might be at risk answer the following 8 questions.

How likely are you to doze off or fall asleep in the following situations, in contrast to just feeling tired?

0 = NEVER DOZE
1 = SLIGHT CHANCE
2 = MODERATE CHANCE
3 = HIGH CHANCE

Sitting and reading
Watching TV
Sitting, inactive in a public place (theatre)
As a passenger in a car for an hour w/o a break
Lying down to rest in the afternoon
Sitting and talking to someone
Sitting quietly after lunch w/o alcohol
In a car, while stopped for a few minutes in traffic

If you score a 6 or greater please call our office to schedule a consultation and airway evaluation.

Treatment Options

Many patients are prescribed CPAP units which consists of an air compressor that forces air up the nose in order to open the airway. While these are effective and necessary for patients with severe sleep apnea, the problem is that 80% of patients are non-compliant after one year. Patients much prefer to wear oral appliances that reposition the lower jaw and the tongue forward which opens up the airway. Patient compliance with oral appliances is over 90%.

One of the main causes of snoring and sleep apnea is excess weight. Men with necks more than 17” or women with necks in excess of 16” have a greater tendency for these problems. Presently there are many patients being treated for hypertension and gastroesophageal reflex who would benefit from oral appliances that would help open up their airway and give them more oxygen, therefore placing less stress on their cardiovascular system.

SomnoDent® Classic Device

Oral Appliances

New state of the art equipment is now available to ensure that proper diagnosis is made prior to the fabrication of an oral appliance to prevent snoring and apnea. The Rhinometer evaluates the nose and the Pharyngometer evaluates the air-way and helps the Doctors determine whether or not an oral appliance will be effective.

This problem does not just affect adults, children are prone to breathing disorders if they have chronic ear infections, asthma, runny noses, enlarged tonsils, adenoids, deep overbites, restless leg syndrome along with the conditions noted above. If you feel your child may be suffering from any of these problems please call our office today to schedule a no cost consultation.

Breathe easier and get a good night's sleep. Schedule an appointment today.