WHAT IS SLEEP APNEA?
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that is serious and potentially life threatening and affects millions of Canadians. Derived from the Greek word apnea – “want of breath” it refers to episodes in which someone stops breathing for 20 seconds or more during sleep. The brain must wake up with each episode to resume breathing and results in highly fragmented poor quality sleep. If you suspect you suffer from sleep apnea, it is imperative that you are properly diagnosed and your dentist works closely with your physician to implement a prescribed therapy.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF SLEEP APNEA?
Sleep apnea can be broken down into two types. Both severely disrupt the sleep cycle.
Obstructive Apnea: Muscles in the walls of the throat relax to the point the airway collapse, preventing air from flowing into the mouth and nose. Efforts to breathe still continue. This is the most common form of sleep apnea.
Central Apnea: Interruptions in breathe during sleep are the result of problems within the brain mechanisms that are in control of breath.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF SLEEP APNEA?
Most people who have sleep apnea will not recall waking up in the night. Symptoms to watch for include morning headaches, daytime sleepiness, impaired mental function and irritability, excessive choking or snoring during sleep, insomnia, waking with a sore throat and dry mouth.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SNORING AND SLEEP APNEA?
Sleep apnea presents as the actual halting of breath for 10 seconds or more, as opposed to snoring. This can occur anywhere between 10 and 60 times through out the course of the night, and is typically noticed by a partner. The pattern sounds like a loud snoring, followed my silence, followed by a choking or snort as the breath resumes.
WHY IS SLEEP APNEA A CONCERN?
This disorder has the potential to fatigue an individual to the point of harmful behaviour, like during driving. If left untreated, it can seriously inhibit daytime function resulting in high blood pressure, heightened risk of heart attack, and even a potential stroke.
HOW CAN MY DENTIST HELP?
Your dentist might refer you to a physician if they suspect you suffer from sleep apnea. Diagnosis and treatment is determined based on a number of factors, including the results of a physical examination and polysomnography (and overnight study which measures the heart and disruption of breath).
WHAT ARE THE TREATMENT OPTIONS?
If the sleep apnea is obstructive and mild, treatment might be as simple as avoiding sleeping on your back, cessation of smoking, and losing weight. Dental appliance may also be recommended, like the Thornton Adjustable Positioner (TAP), which repositions the lower tongue and jaw. If the sleep apnea is more severe, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) systems may be prescribed. This systems delivers air through the nose using a small mask creating a continuous pressure to keep the airway open. This will prevent the snoring and the apnea episodes. There are further treatments, such as surgery, that can also be explored if the case is worse or the treatment options do not work.