Dental Appliances For Sleep Apnea

By Marcie Goodman


Dental appliances for sleep apnea sufferers are recommended by most medical professionals who treat this disorder as the first step in treatment. They have proved their effectiveness in more than ten years of use. Designed to alleviate snoring, oral devices work on the most common type of apnea, which is termed 'obstructive'. Drugs, sleeping position, and lifestyle changes may also be helpful.

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.

There are different types of apnea. A small fraction of cases are caused by brain stem problems. The majority are what is called 'obstructive', involving a physical blockage of the airways. This is the disorder that responds to the use of an oral mouthpiece, which is recommended by sleeping disorder specialists as the first thing to try in treatment.

One of the major causes of this problem is obesity. People who are grossly overweight often already have breathing problems. In this instance, lack of muscle tone causes the soft tissues of the throat and airways to collapse when the person is sleeping. Losing weight and exercising under medical supervision can help alleviate breathing problems. Doctors also recommend avoiding alcohol and tobacco smoking.

This abnormality often also complicates heart problems, chronic pain treatment, and other serious illnesses. Different parts of the brain are affected, studies show. People with this condition may have memory loss, difficulty in concentration, and problems with performing tasks required by their jobs.

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 have this condition generally are totally unaware that they stop breathing over and over again. It's usually another person in the household who notices the disturbing pattern. A complete diagnosis involves spending nights st a clinic while being observed by doctors and monitored by electronic diagnostic tools.

Dental appliances for sleep apnea can be found online under the name of this disorder and also under 'help with snoring'. Not getting enough sleep is a problem in its own right, but it worsens other conditions as well. Those who suspect they suffer from this disorder should seek medical help. The use of a mouthpiece is often the first step in treatment. Lifestyle changes will make any health restoring program more effective.




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