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What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea? Collierville Dental Sleep Medicine Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a serious respiratory disorder affecting a large portion of the population. Up to 40% of males (between the ages of 40 to 60 years) and up to 25% of females (between the ages of 40 to 60 years) suffer with OSA. OSA is defined as a stopping of all nasal and oral breathing, despite diaphragm activity, for 10 seconds or longer at a time. Central apnea is a stopping of breathing with no diaphragm activity and mixed apnea is a combination of both obstructive and central apneas. It is now being shown through medical studies that OSA and central apnea can be responsible for heart problems and even heart failure. The following symptoms may suggest a need for concern about a sleep apnea problem: • Snoring • Daytime Sleepiness • Headache upon awakening • Fatigue • Gasping or choking at night • Overweight • Grinding or clenching teeth at night • TMJ soreness upon awakening • Disrupted sleep with arousals • Anxiety with breathlessness After a clinical evaluation with Dr. Blanton showing these symptoms, you will be referred to your Primary Care Physician with a recommendation to be referred to a sleep clinic for an overnight sleep test called a polysomnogram. An overnight polysomnographic test at a sleep laboratory is the only method for definitive diagnosis. Diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea is necessary to help avoid complications such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, stroke and falling asleep while driving. In addition to the above symptoms of OSA, the following can be experienced: loud snoring, bedpartner witnessing stopping breathing, daytime sleepiness and tiredness, disrupted sleep, daytime irritability, poor memory, morning headaches, decreased cognative abilities, night-time arousals, nocturia, extreme anxiety, fatigue and a decrease in libido. One of the major signs of OSA is snoring. Not everyone who snores has apnea, but everyone with apnea snores. There is a continuum from snoring to upper airway resistance, to sleep apnea. The standard protocol for diagnosis is the observed overnight polysomnographic testing at a sleep laboratory. There are three treatments for OSA; Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), Surgery, and the Oral Appliance Therapy. The dental oral appliance has proven to be a viable option to the other treatments and can be used in conjunction with either. Successful treatment with oral appliance therapy is well documented in the literature and clinically. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine's 2005 Position Paper states, "Oral appliances are a viable option to treat OSAS." A combined medical/dental team such as Dr. Blanton and your physician can screen, diagnose, and treat OSA. This synergistic relationship between dentistry and medicine allows for a broader and more varied approach and resolution to the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea. 362 New Byhalia Rd. Suite 3 Collierville, TN 38017 |
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