DO YOU SNORE?

20% of all serious car crashes are associated with daytime sleepiness, independent of alcohol. 50-70 millions of Americans suffer from chronic sleep disorders.

Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders (SBD) include the spectrum of snoring, upper airway resistance syndrome, and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS).

SBD are caused by blockage of the upper airway while asleep, that can result in reduced blood oxygen levels to the brain, heart, and other vital organs.

Snoring is a partial or impending airway collapse, whereas OSAS result from a complete airway obstruction lasting greater than ten seconds. OSAS causes memory loss, morning headaches, irritability, depression, decreased libido, and impaired concentration. If not treated, it causes hypertension, strokes, cardiovascular dysrhythmias, myocardial infarction, and death while asleep.

Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) involves the selection, fabrication, fitting, adjustments, and long term follow-up care of custom-designed oral devices, worn only during sleep, to reposition the mandible and tongue base anteriorly to enlarge and stabilize the oropharingeal airway.

Continuous Position Airway Pressure (CPAP) consist of delivering oxygen via a nasal mask while asleep.

In addition to OAT that is performed by a dentist, other OSAS therapies that are managed by sleep physicians include CPAP, positional therapy, weight reduction, and a reduction of late evening consumption of sedative-hypnotic medications and alcoholic beverages. Upper airway surgery is generally indicated when a more conservative approach in unsuccessful.

Feel free to contact our office at the address bellow if you have more questions about this issue or if you need help.

http://www.designdentalatelkgrove.com/