Sleep Apnea & Snoring
Obstructive Sleep Disorders are part of a continuum that begins with snoring and ends with Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
Treatment of snoring may be more important than simply helping the sleep partner.
Recent studies have linked even simple snoring with heart disease. More severe obstructions have been correlated with:
Recent studies have linked even simple snoring with heart disease. More severe obstructions have been correlated with:
- heart disease
- stroke
- diabetes
- daytime sleepiness
- car accidents
90% of those with obstructive disorders are NOT diagnosed.
Snoring is not, therefore, a "social" nuisance, but can indeed represent a real health hazard.
The diagnosis should be done by a physician with a full sleep study completed in a sleep lab, but a State of the Art screening home device is available for those who would prefer a home test in the privacy of your own home. Home sleep test device is sufficient for most patients but it will also determine the ones that will benefit from a full sleep lab polysomnogram.
Treatment falls into three categories:
1- Most commonly physicians will prescribe the use of CPAP.
While this is a very effective way to combat the collapse of the airway that leads to snoring and apnea, many patients find its use inconvenient or intolerable.
2- Surgery can sometimes be successful, but it is not predictable or usually successful.
While this is a very effective way to combat the collapse of the airway that leads to snoring and apnea, many patients find its use inconvenient or intolerable.
2- Surgery can sometimes be successful, but it is not predictable or usually successful.
3- The Oral Appliance tends to be successful for most patients.
People tend to prefer the oral appliance as compared to CPAP, and in many cases, the oral appliance can be as effective.
The Academy of Sleep Medicine's policy states that the oral appliance can be the first line of treatment in certain cases if the patient prefers for some reason to bypass the CPAP usage.
The policy also states that oral appliance therapy is appropriate for those who cannot use or do not want to use CPAP.
The Academy of Sleep Medicine's policy states that the oral appliance can be the first line of treatment in certain cases if the patient prefers for some reason to bypass the CPAP usage.
The policy also states that oral appliance therapy is appropriate for those who cannot use or do not want to use CPAP.
The Cleveland Center for Clinical Sleep Disorders Dentistry will want to have a full copy of your sleep study if you have already been diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea, and our office will arrange to have the study faxed to us from your sleep center.
If you are interested in more information
call us at 216-831-6822
or speak to your physician and get a referral to
Cleveland Center for Clinical Sleep Disorders Dentistry
for an evaluation.
You can tell your physician about your interest in Oral Appliances.
If you are interested in more information
call us at 216-831-6822
or speak to your physician and get a referral to
Cleveland Center for Clinical Sleep Disorders Dentistry
for an evaluation.
You can tell your physician about your interest in Oral Appliances.
Snoring is not a laughing matter; and treatment may make a major difference in the quality of your life and those who love you.