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.
Sleep apnea is a condition which causes interrupted breathing during sleep. Those afflicted with this problem may stop breathing for ten seconds or more; severe cases may see many interruptions per minute. This serious disorder results in daytime fatigue and sleepiness, and it often causes irritability, difficulty in performing routine tasks, and depression.
A fraction of cases of this serious problem are caused by brain stem dysfunction, but most are caused by airway blockage and are termed 'obstructive'. This, the most common, is the type of disorder that can be relieved by oral appliances. The mouthpieces fit over the teeth and are FDA-approved and endorsed by sleeping disorder specialists.
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 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.
Dental devices are mouthpieces that fit over the teeth and advance the lower jaw. This is done gradually, with adjustments to the mouthpiece, until the prescribed adjustment is achieved. The devices are made so the patient can do the adjustments; this minimizes discomfort. The advancement of the lower jaw keeps upper airways open. There are many different devices on the market. It's informative to go online and look at the options, materials used, and guarantees offered by manufacturers.
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 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.
Sleep apnea is a condition which causes interrupted breathing during sleep. Those afflicted with this problem may stop breathing for ten seconds or more; severe cases may see many interruptions per minute. This serious disorder results in daytime fatigue and sleepiness, and it often causes irritability, difficulty in performing routine tasks, and depression.
A fraction of cases of this serious problem are caused by brain stem dysfunction, but most are caused by airway blockage and are termed 'obstructive'. This, the most common, is the type of disorder that can be relieved by oral appliances. The mouthpieces fit over the teeth and are FDA-approved and endorsed by sleeping disorder specialists.
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 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.
Dental devices are mouthpieces that fit over the teeth and advance the lower jaw. This is done gradually, with adjustments to the mouthpiece, until the prescribed adjustment is achieved. The devices are made so the patient can do the adjustments; this minimizes discomfort. The advancement of the lower jaw keeps upper airways open. There are many different devices on the market. It's informative to go online and look at the options, materials used, and guarantees offered by manufacturers.
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 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.
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