What causes snoring?
Snoring occurs when the structures in the throat are large and when muscles relax enough to cause the airway to narrow and partially obstruct the flow of air. As the air passes through these obstructions, these structures vibrate producing the snoring sound. Large tonsils, a long soft palate and uvula and excess fat deposits contribute to airway narrowing.
Symptoms and Effects:
- Occasional snoring
- Disrupted sleep
- Low blood/oxygen levels
- Momentary loss of breathing
- Can lead to high blood pressure
- Excessive daytime drowsiness
- Cardiovascular problems- heart attack, stroke, death
What causes sleep apnea?
Narrowing airway passages can cause Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Muscles relax during sleep. When the muscles used to breathe relax too much, the tongue is sucked against the back of the throat causing airflow to stop. The oxygen level in the brain becomes low enough to awaken the sleeper partially. The obstruction in the throat clears and the flow of air starts again (usually with a loud gasp). This is called apnea. The most common cause of airway constriction during sleep apnea is the tongue. The tongue relaxes excessively during sleep and falls back into the airway with each breath. Air travels faster through a slender tube, this rapidly moving air causes the soft tissue in the throat to vibrate, which produces the loud sound of snoring and compromises the ability to breath. Some patients experience up to 300 apnea episodes each night. Severe cases may have up to 700 per night and possibly develop serious health issues
The sleep apnea/snoring appliance:
Oral appliances have several advantages over other forms of therapy. They are relatively comfortable to wear, and easy to care for. Treatment is reversible and non-invasive. This appliance has been proven 85% effective in treating sleep apnea. Patients have expressed their satisfaction in using this appliance. Clinical studies have shown that the appliance is effective in reducing or eliminating symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in the majority of cases.
The Sleep Apnea/Snoring Appliance is made up of 2 small custom-made plastic devices that look similar to orthodontic retainers or athletic mouthguards. They fit over the teeth and are worn while sleeping. The device works by moving the lower jaw and tongue forward and opening the airway in the back of the throat to let air flow.
Many medical insurance policies will cover the cost of this appliance when the patient is diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea by a certified sleep disorder center. At Streem, Resnick, Tetelman & Young, DDS Inc we have treated many patients using custom appliances and night guards. We work closely with physicians and sleep centers to determine a diagnosis and develop the best treatment protocol for each patient.
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