The American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM) established "Dentists Against Drowsy Driving" to raise awareness among healthcare communities and the public about the dangers of untreated Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). This sleep disorder has alarming healthcare and economic risks and requires attention. Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is a common symptom of OSA. It can increase a person's risk for deadly motor vehicle accidents by 15 times.
Motor vehicle accidents due to "drowsy driving" account for $48 billion in medical costs each year.
Sleepiness in today's workplace causes another $150 billion in lost productivity and mistakes.
Drowsy driving can be as dangerous as drunk driving.
Current legislation recommends that commercial drivers get screened and treated for Sleep Apnea. But there are many
non-commercial drivers who do not know that they have OSA.
Sleep Apnea can cause hypertension, stroke, heart attack, and sudden death during sleep. OSA increases one's risk for diabetes, obesity, and depression. It can also cause memory problems, morning headaches, irritability, decreased libido, and impaired concentration.
According to a 2006 report released by the Institute of Medicine, 50-70 million Americans suffer from chronic sleep disorders.
Motor vehicle accidents due to "drowsy driving" account for $48 billion in medical costs each year.
Sleepiness in today's workplace causes another $150 billion in lost productivity and mistakes.
Drowsy driving can be as dangerous as drunk driving.
Current legislation recommends that commercial drivers get screened and treated for Sleep Apnea. But there are many
non-commercial drivers who do not know that they have OSA.
Sleep Apnea can cause hypertension, stroke, heart attack, and sudden death during sleep. OSA increases one's risk for diabetes, obesity, and depression. It can also cause memory problems, morning headaches, irritability, decreased libido, and impaired concentration.
According to a 2006 report released by the Institute of Medicine, 50-70 million Americans suffer from chronic sleep disorders.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine estimates that 18 million Americans have OSA.
Unfortunately, 80-90% of these people are undiagnosed and untreated.
We ask that you read the following information.
If the risk factors or warning signs sound familiar,
a Dental Sleep Specialist, Dr. Natalie Farber
can test you for Sleep Apnea.
Once diagnosed, Sleep Apnea may be easily treated.
Help protect yourself, your loved ones and your fellow travelers.
Unfortunately, 80-90% of these people are undiagnosed and untreated.
We ask that you read the following information.
If the risk factors or warning signs sound familiar,
a Dental Sleep Specialist, Dr. Natalie Farber
can test you for Sleep Apnea.
Once diagnosed, Sleep Apnea may be easily treated.
Help protect yourself, your loved ones and your fellow travelers.
Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders
OSA, like snoring and upper airway resistance syndrome (UARS), is a sleep-related breathing disorder (SBD).
Snoring and UARS
occur when the airway is paritally constricted. The snoring sound is a result of a collapsed airway. The reduced sie of the opening causes the tissues to vibrate, producing the sound.
OSA
occurs when the airway partially or completely collapses for 10-30 seconds, sometimes for a minute or longer.
These collapses can happen hundreds of times a night, reducing a person's blood-oxygen levels.
When a collapse occurs, the brain wakes the person up to breathe, though they may not know it. This fragmented sleep can lead to daytime sleepiness.
Snoring is a common symptom of sleep apnea.
But not everyone who snores has sleep apnea.
According to the AASM, habitual snoring affects an estimated 24% of adult women and 40A% of adult men.
Approximately one-half of people who snore loudly have sleep apnea.
OSA patients often make choking or gasping sounds when they wake up to breathe.
This noise can help spouses recognize a breathing problem.
Anyone can have a SBD.
Snoring and UARS
occur when the airway is paritally constricted. The snoring sound is a result of a collapsed airway. The reduced sie of the opening causes the tissues to vibrate, producing the sound.
OSA
occurs when the airway partially or completely collapses for 10-30 seconds, sometimes for a minute or longer.
These collapses can happen hundreds of times a night, reducing a person's blood-oxygen levels.
When a collapse occurs, the brain wakes the person up to breathe, though they may not know it. This fragmented sleep can lead to daytime sleepiness.
Snoring is a common symptom of sleep apnea.
But not everyone who snores has sleep apnea.
According to the AASM, habitual snoring affects an estimated 24% of adult women and 40A% of adult men.
Approximately one-half of people who snore loudly have sleep apnea.
OSA patients often make choking or gasping sounds when they wake up to breathe.
This noise can help spouses recognize a breathing problem.
Anyone can have a SBD.
Risk factors include:
- obesity
- large neck sizes
- alcohol
- tobacco smoke
- and Down Syndrome
- Risk increases with age and weight
- OSA is more common in men
Diagnostic testing
OSA is diagnosed by overnight polysomnography (PSG) or Ambulatory Sleep Study (HCG)
This test is performed by a sleep physician at a sleep center or Dr. Farber can help you to conduct this testing in the privacy of your own home. The study measures a person's Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) using electrodes. An AHI is the average number of partial and complete breaks in breathing that occur per hour of sleep.
Different AHI indicate different levels of sleep apnea:
Different AHI indicate different levels of sleep apnea:
- Mild OSA: AHI of 5-15
- Moderate OSA: AHI of 15-30
- Severe OSA: AHI of more than 30
Oral Appliance therapy and Other Treatments
Members of the AADSM have pioneered the scientific research and clinical development of dental sleep medicine (DSM). DSM is the focus of dentistry that addresses OSA.
Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) includes the selection, fabrication, fitting, and long-term follow-up care of custom-designed oral devices. These appliances are worn during sleep to move the lower jaw and tongue forward, opening the person's airway. They look similar to sports mouth guards.
Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) includes the selection, fabrication, fitting, and long-term follow-up care of custom-designed oral devices. These appliances are worn during sleep to move the lower jaw and tongue forward, opening the person's airway. They look similar to sports mouth guards.
Every OSA patient has specific needs.
Dr. Natalie Farber is trained to select which oral appliance is right for her patient and adjust it for the best results.
Dr. Farber will continue to monitor a patient's treatment and may ask the patient to go for a follow-up sleep study to ensure that the therapy is working.
OAT is a safe and effective alternative to Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP).
While CPAP is the gold standard of OSA treatment, up to 50% of OSA patients cannot tolerate it.
Oral Appliance Therapy is indicated as a first-line treatment for mild to moderate OSA
(Sleep 2006:209,240-243)
OAT should be performed by a dentist trained in dental sleep medicine.
Dr. Natalie Farber is a Diplomate of Academy of Clinical Sleep Disorders Disciplines, American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, and SomnoMed Academy.
Dr. Natalie Farber had under gone extensive training in the field of Dental Sleep Medicine.
OAT may be combined with CPAP.
Dr. Natalie Farber is trained to select which oral appliance is right for her patient and adjust it for the best results.
Dr. Farber will continue to monitor a patient's treatment and may ask the patient to go for a follow-up sleep study to ensure that the therapy is working.
OAT is a safe and effective alternative to Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP).
While CPAP is the gold standard of OSA treatment, up to 50% of OSA patients cannot tolerate it.
Oral Appliance Therapy is indicated as a first-line treatment for mild to moderate OSA
(Sleep 2006:209,240-243)
OAT should be performed by a dentist trained in dental sleep medicine.
Dr. Natalie Farber is a Diplomate of Academy of Clinical Sleep Disorders Disciplines, American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, and SomnoMed Academy.
Dr. Natalie Farber had under gone extensive training in the field of Dental Sleep Medicine.
OAT may be combined with CPAP.
Contact Information:
Cleveland Center for Clinical Sleep Disorders Dentistry
Dr. Natalie Farber, DDS
28001 Chagrin Blvd. #203
Beachwood, Ohio 44122
216-831-6822
email: [email protected]
Cleveland Center for Clinical Sleep Disorders Dentistry
Dr. Natalie Farber, DDS
28001 Chagrin Blvd. #203
Beachwood, Ohio 44122
216-831-6822
email: [email protected]