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.
The majority of sufferers are obese and often have other serious health issues. The soft tissues of the airways collapse when the person reclines, which can be helped by elevating the upper body during repose or sleeping on the side rather than the back. Losing weight is very important in addressing this problem, and stopping smoking and eliminating alcohol are also helpful.
Serious diseases like heart problems or those which cause chronic pain can be complicated by apnea, which can be caused by some medications. The brain is affected by sleeping disruption, and patients exhibit a variety of symptoms, making diagnosis more difficult. Some people suffer memory loss, some have difficulty in concentrating, and others may find routine tasks hard to perform. This affects daily living, job performance, and total health.
The oral devices designed to control snoring fit over the teeth and work by advancing the lower jaw slightly. This opens up the upper airway, reducing snoring. It also is effective at keeping the airway from collapsing on itself. There are many different FDA-approved devices on the market. Go online to see how the devices work, the different ways they can be adjusted to give a good fit, and the guarantees of satisfaction that manufacturers offer. Materials used vary from medicals grades to those which use FDA-approved plastics that are BPA and latex free.
It is usually other people in the household who alert sufferers to their problem, because those afflicted are unaware that they have irregular breathing patterns. For those who live with such a person, the snoring is annoying but the interruptions to breathing are frightening. A definitive diagnosis can be made at a clinic which monitors sleeping behavior during one or more nights spent under observation.
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.
The majority of sufferers are obese and often have other serious health issues. The soft tissues of the airways collapse when the person reclines, which can be helped by elevating the upper body during repose or sleeping on the side rather than the back. Losing weight is very important in addressing this problem, and stopping smoking and eliminating alcohol are also helpful.
Serious diseases like heart problems or those which cause chronic pain can be complicated by apnea, which can be caused by some medications. The brain is affected by sleeping disruption, and patients exhibit a variety of symptoms, making diagnosis more difficult. Some people suffer memory loss, some have difficulty in concentrating, and others may find routine tasks hard to perform. This affects daily living, job performance, and total health.
The oral devices designed to control snoring fit over the teeth and work by advancing the lower jaw slightly. This opens up the upper airway, reducing snoring. It also is effective at keeping the airway from collapsing on itself. There are many different FDA-approved devices on the market. Go online to see how the devices work, the different ways they can be adjusted to give a good fit, and the guarantees of satisfaction that manufacturers offer. Materials used vary from medicals grades to those which use FDA-approved plastics that are BPA and latex free.
It is usually other people in the household who alert sufferers to their problem, because those afflicted are unaware that they have irregular breathing patterns. For those who live with such a person, the snoring is annoying but the interruptions to breathing are frightening. A definitive diagnosis can be made at a clinic which monitors sleeping behavior during one or more nights spent under observation.
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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