Dental appliances for sleep apnea have been used for over ten years now, and their effectiveness has been proved. There are different forms of this disorder. Oral devices help alleviate 'obstructive' apnea, caused by airway obstruction, although they are really designed to stop snoring. There are some lifestyle changes that can help this disorder, although medical diagnosis and treatment are recommended.
People who suffer from this condition actually stop breathing for ten seconds or longer while they are asleep. Severe cases may cause many interruptions of the inhalation-exhalation cycle every minute. Deep, restful slumber is impossible under these conditions, and a sufferer gradually gets more fatigued, may be sleepy during the day, and can find daily tasks difficult. Those afflicted may become aggressive, or merely irritable, and may develop depression.
A small number of cases of apnea are caused by brain malfunction, but most are throat and airway blockages. The last is 'obstructive' and can be treated with oral appliances as a first response. This use of a device that fits over the teeth is recommended by sleep therapy professionals.
One major cause of airway obstruction when reclining is obesity. Grossly overweight people often have many health concerns, including breathing problems, which are aggravated by disrupted sleep. Excess weight and a lack of muscle tone cause the soft tissue that lines the airways to collapse upon itself, cutting off normal breathing. Weight loss and supervised exercise are recommended as part of the treatment, as well as stopping smoking and avoiding alcohol.
This abnormality can also be caused by narcotic painkillers or other pharmaceutical drugs. Serious illnesses including heart disease are made worse when normal sleeping patterns are disrupted. Studies show that different parts of the brain can be affected, which makes the symptoms different in each person afflicted. Some will have difficulty concentrating or performing familiar tasks, others may suffer memory loss.
Oral devices which were designed to alleviate snoring advance the lower jaw, which keeps upper airways open. The mouthpieces are FDA-approved for sleep disorder use. Quality ones will be made of medical-grade materials or plastics that are latex and BPA-free. There is a lot of information online; people who suspect they may have this disorder should check out some of the sites to learn more about their condition and options.
People who stop breathing during slumber rarely know that they do so. Other people in the household often tell them of the problem, which is both noisy and frightening to listen to. Special clinics monitor people during the night to chart their breathing and make a definitive diagnosis. Clinics can also help judge the effectiveness of treatment.
Dental appliances for sleep apnea are recommended as the first thing to try in treating this disorder. Not getting adequate rest is a serious handicap, so anyone who suspects that they or family members have this problem should seek medical help. Lifestyle changes alone might suffice if people are truly dedicated to losing weight and exercising their way back to health. However, any such major changes should also be done under medical supervision.
People who suffer from this condition actually stop breathing for ten seconds or longer while they are asleep. Severe cases may cause many interruptions of the inhalation-exhalation cycle every minute. Deep, restful slumber is impossible under these conditions, and a sufferer gradually gets more fatigued, may be sleepy during the day, and can find daily tasks difficult. Those afflicted may become aggressive, or merely irritable, and may develop depression.
A small number of cases of apnea are caused by brain malfunction, but most are throat and airway blockages. The last is 'obstructive' and can be treated with oral appliances as a first response. This use of a device that fits over the teeth is recommended by sleep therapy professionals.
One major cause of airway obstruction when reclining is obesity. Grossly overweight people often have many health concerns, including breathing problems, which are aggravated by disrupted sleep. Excess weight and a lack of muscle tone cause the soft tissue that lines the airways to collapse upon itself, cutting off normal breathing. Weight loss and supervised exercise are recommended as part of the treatment, as well as stopping smoking and avoiding alcohol.
This abnormality can also be caused by narcotic painkillers or other pharmaceutical drugs. Serious illnesses including heart disease are made worse when normal sleeping patterns are disrupted. Studies show that different parts of the brain can be affected, which makes the symptoms different in each person afflicted. Some will have difficulty concentrating or performing familiar tasks, others may suffer memory loss.
Oral devices which were designed to alleviate snoring advance the lower jaw, which keeps upper airways open. The mouthpieces are FDA-approved for sleep disorder use. Quality ones will be made of medical-grade materials or plastics that are latex and BPA-free. There is a lot of information online; people who suspect they may have this disorder should check out some of the sites to learn more about their condition and options.
People who stop breathing during slumber rarely know that they do so. Other people in the household often tell them of the problem, which is both noisy and frightening to listen to. Special clinics monitor people during the night to chart their breathing and make a definitive diagnosis. Clinics can also help judge the effectiveness of treatment.
Dental appliances for sleep apnea are recommended as the first thing to try in treating this disorder. Not getting adequate rest is a serious handicap, so anyone who suspects that they or family members have this problem should seek medical help. Lifestyle changes alone might suffice if people are truly dedicated to losing weight and exercising their way back to health. However, any such major changes should also be done under medical supervision.
About the Author:
When you are looking for information about dental appliances for sleep apnea, visit the web pages online here today. You can see details at http://apneaandsnoring.com now.