Snoring is the classic sign that your body indicates a breathing difficulty during sleep. The condition becomes more serious
when snoring is accompanied by repeated breathing pauses (apnea) that last 10 seconds or more in adults.
Sleep apnea can affect both men and women at any age, but it is more common in overweight men around the age of 40 and in postmenopausal women. Mid-term and long term sleep apnea consequences include severe cardiac overload secondary to decreased body oxygen levels.
Excessive daytime somnolence, decreased intellectual and sexual performance, impaired concentration, memory lapses, chronic tiredness, fitful sleep and irritability are indicators that may lead a person to seek a specialist.
Frequently asked questions about snoring and sleep apnea treatment:
1. Is sleep optional? What are the consequences of insufficient sleep?
Sleep is not optional but plays a crucial role in health maintenance, psychical functions, and life. Sleep deprivation or poor sleep may lead to several disorders such as, among others, insomnia, snores, apnea (breathing pauses during sleep) and bruxism (grinding of teeth).
Insufficient sleep can lead to hypertension, arrhythmia, infarction, stroke and a higher risk for type 2 diabetes and other chronic diseases.
2. What are the treatments for sleep apnea?
There are different treatment techniques for snoring and sleep apnea. The appropriate option is determined by the condition severity and individual’s particularities. Treatment indication depends on medical diagnosis and results of polysomnography, also known as sleep study. This is an important exam used to diagnose and classify many types of
sleep disorders, as well as to assess individual’s evolution under prescribed treatment. In general, treatments for snoring and sleep apnea include:
. Weight loss and sleep hygiene;
. CPAP – nasal mask;
. Oral mandibular advancement devices;
. Oropharyngeal exercises;
. Surgeries for nasal airway obstruction caused by polyp, turbinates, and septal deviation;
. Combinations of therapies above.
3. How can I get to use an oral device?
Firstly you need to make an appointment with a Sleep Physician and then with a dentist capable of treating sleep apnea and evaluating oral conditions for the device design. The dentist may order additional exams, such as dental, facial or joint radiography.
4. Is any person eligible for the oral device?
There are a few restrictions regarding oral mandibular advancement devices:
· People with caries, gum, dental cavity or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems;
· People with few remaining teeth in the dental arch or complete denture users, especially in the lower arch;
· Obese people, with a Body Mass Index (BMI) higher than 35 kg/m2;
5. How does a snoring and apnea oral device work?
The device is applied both to the upper and the lower teeth. Some oral devices provide a self-controlled activation system. The device slightly (some millimeters) pulls the mandibular forward while preventing the tongue from sliding back into the throat and obstructing the airway during sleep.
6. Does the oral device solve snoring and apnea problems?
Oral devices for snoring and apnea correspond to a valuable alternative treatment, since they are easy to carry (they fit in your pocket), do not require electricity and result in low rejection rate (5%), which is directly correlated with their efficacy and comfort.
Similarly to any other type of treatment, the oral device can only be efficacious if it is actually used by the individual, especially on a regular basis. The device can reduce loud and intense snoring and prevent future embarrassments on trips and conjugal quarrels caused by the noise. Apnea index may be normalized in case of mild or moderate sleep apnea. Additionally, oral devices may be helpful in case of severe sleep apnea, when the individual cannot adapt to a CPAP device or refuses to use it.
7. Are there any tips for improving sleep quality? Everyone can follow the
10 commandments of sleep:
· Have regular sleep and wake up times.
· Do not go to sleep until it is bedtime.
· Improve your sleep environment. E.g.: elevate the head of your bed approximately 15 cm; blackout curtains, temperature control.
· Avoid alcohol close to bedtime.
· Do not take sleep medication without consulting a doctor.
· Avoid too much coffee, tea or soft drinks.
· Exercise at appropriate times; be careful not to do it close to bedtime.
· Eat dinner at regular times and avoid large meals.
· Give preference to restful and relaxing activities after dinner.
· As you go to bed, try not to think about worries or stresses of the day.