If you snore, it's not such a big
deal…for you. Your significant other might have a different opinion. While
you’re snorting and wheezing, deep in slumber, your mate may be seething,
robbed of precious sleep, leading to tensions and animosity.
But the truth is, even if your own
snoring doesn't wake you up, it can still be causing you to lose restful sleep.
And a bad night tonight can mean a bad day tomorrow.
More than 90 million people in
North America, nearly one third of the population, snore while sleeping. 20% of the people who snore suffer from
obstructive sleep apnea [OSA], which is a life threatening obstruction of the
airway. A snore guard can prevent
snoring and OSA.
What Causes Snoring?
During sleep, the whole body
relaxes. The muscles and soft tissues in
the throat and mouth relax making the breathing airway smaller. The decrease in
airway space increases the velocity of air flowing through the airway during
breathing. As the airway closes and the speed of the air increases, the soft
tissues in the back of the mouth and throat begin to flutter against one
another, causes the obnoxious snoring sounds.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea [OSA]
Snoring may be a sign of something
more serious: obstructive sleep apnea.
OSA occurs with reduced airflow during sleep to the point where oxygen
levels in the body drop. Even complete
blockage of the airway space by the soft tissues and the tongue can occur. A
person with OSA can stop breathing 20 or 30 times an hour for 10 to 20 seconds
at a time. Snoring can alternate between from being extremely loud to periods
of complete silence. Gasping or choking can even occur during sleep. The lungs
struggle to catch a breath—choking sounds—until the chest muscles can force the
airway to open—the gasp.
OSA affects about 18 million people in the
U.S. and can be life-threatening. OSA
increases the person's risk for a heart attack, stroke and high blood pressure.
Lack of continuous, restful sleep puts the sufferer at high risk for being
involved in an auto accident and an inability to efficiently and safely
function during the day. Morning headaches, sore throats, daytime sleepiness,
trouble concentrating, and depression are often systems of OSA. Usually the individual is lethargic and tired
throughout the day.
What Can Be Done
Studies have shown that excess body
weight, heavy alcohol consumption, smoking, and sedative medications increase
the severity of snoring. Reducing or stopping alcohol drinking and smoking will
help reduce snoring. Even a 10% drop in weight can dramatically reduce snoring
and improve the quality of sleep.
Sleeping position can effect snoring.
Usually sleeping on one’s side can help, so the tongue does not fall
back into the throat as easily, helping to keep the airway open.
Surgical techniques to enlarge the
airway by removing soft tissue structures, such as the uvula, tonsils and
adenoids as well as partial removal of the soft palate have been attempted to
remedy snoring with mixed results. Various studies have shown these soft tissue
surgical procedures to have only a moderate success rate of between 20 to 40
percent.
For severe OSA, a continuous
positive airway pressure machine is necessary. When sleeping, a mask is worn
that is attached to a machine that produces constant air pressure, forcing the
airway open and producing increased oxygen intake. Usually a referral is given for sleep studies
to determine the oxygen levels during sleep to determine the degree of OSA.
For the majority of snorers and for
treatment of mild to moderate OSA, the most affordable, non-invasive,
comfortable and effective treatment is wearing a snore guard.
Snore Guard
A snore guard is a custom-fitted
mouthpiece prescribed by a patient’s dentist that helps open the airway during
sleep. Snore guards are recommended for snoring and mild to moderate sleep OSA.
The snore guard works by moving the lower jaw forward, opening the airway,
which reduces air velocity and soft tissue vibration. The snore guard has different adjustments to
move the jaw forward to the necessary opening position. In clinical research
studies, snore guards have exhibited initial snoring prevention success rates
of over 80%.
The improvement in quality of life
for people that stop snoring is amazing.
If OSA is prevented, their energy level increases dramatically. In my
dental practice, I treated a 49-year-old male patient who snored so loudly that
his wife made him sleep on the living room couch. Needless to say, it was
negatively affecting their marriage. His
snoring had been an on going problem for many years. He was also extremely tired at work, dragging
through the day. After fitting him for a
snore guard, he had immediate improvement; his snoring stopped. He and his wife are happily sleeping together
again and he has renewed energy at work.
If you or a loved one snores or
have symptoms of OSA, ask your dentist about a snore guard or see your
physician about a sleep study to determine oxygen levels. It could dramatically improve your quality of
life and maybe even save your life.
Enjoy Life and Keep Smiling!
George Malkemus has had a Family and Cosmetic Dental
Practice in Rohnert Park for over 27 years.
George A. Malkemus, DDS
Dentist in Rohnert Park2 Padre Parkway Suite #200
Rohnert Park, CA 94928
MalkemusDDS.com
Phone: (707) 585-8595
No comments:
Post a Comment