Friday, January 1, 2010
I have been diagnosed as having sleep apnea, and my doctor has prescribed a CPAP machine for me to wear, which I find to be quite bulky. I have heard that dentists can make a guard for me to wear that might help me with my sleep.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a potentially life-threatening sleep disorder where you stop breathing, sometimes up to several hundred times, during your sleep. It is commonly associated with loud snoring, and the condition is severely under-diagnosed. OSA is contributory to headaches, fatigue, strokes, and heart attacks. It is also believed to be one of the leading factors involved in car accidents.
OSA is caused by an obstruction of the airway, usually due to a collapse of the soft tissue around your throat during sleep. This results in reduced oxygen to your brain and vital organs. Other contributing factors include obesity, smoking, and alcohol use. OSA is usually a chronic condition, and over time, greatly affects your health and well-being.
The CPAP (Continuous Postive Airway Pressure) machine is worn over the face during sleep, but many find it cumbersome to use. An oral appliance (OA) can be made by your dentist if you get a prescription from your physician. The OA is made of a soft acrylic fitted over your upper and lower teeth. When the OA is worn, your lower jaw will be positioned slightly forward, thereby allowing your airway to remain open, similar to having your jaw pulled forward during artificial resuscitation.
During your treatment for OSA, try to think about the preventative steps you can take to help you with your situation, such as a healthy diet, exercise, and quitting smoking. The British Medical Journal reported in 2005 that toning of muscles around the throat by playing a wind instrument helped with OSA. Try it – you can have fun and learn a new skill, as well as improve your health! Keep smiling!
