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Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Dental Appliances For Sleep Apnea Relief

By Marcie Goodman


Dental appliances for sleep apnea relief are really anti-snoring devices, but they seem to alleviate many symptoms of this disorder. They have been used for more than ten years, proving their effectiveness in clinical trials. There are several types of this serious condition, and the devices help with the 'obstructive' sort. People with this condition can also help themselves with some lifestyle changes that compliment medical treatments.

People afflicted with this disorder rarely get adequate rest, because they stop breathing repeatedly while sleeping. The interruptions last from ten seconds to several minutes, and this may happen many times an hour. Understandably, sufferers are fatigued, sleepy during the day, and may become increasingly irritable and even aggressive. They have difficulty performing routine tasks and may become clinically depressed.

A small number of cases of apnea are caused by brain malfunction, but most are throat and airway blockages. The last is 'obstructive' and can be treated with oral appliances as a first response. This use of a device that fits over the teeth is recommended by sleep therapy professionals.

One major cause of airway obstruction when reclining is obesity. Grossly overweight people often have many health concerns, including breathing problems, which are aggravated by disrupted sleep. Excess weight and a lack of muscle tone cause the soft tissue that lines the airways to collapse upon itself, cutting off normal breathing. Weight loss and supervised exercise are recommended as part of the treatment, as well as stopping smoking and avoiding alcohol.

This abnormality often also complicates heart problems, chronic pain treatment, and other serious illnesses. Different parts of the brain are affected, studies show. People with this condition may have memory loss, difficulty in concentration, and problems with performing tasks required by their jobs.

Oral devices which were designed to alleviate snoring advance the lower jaw, which keeps upper airways open. The mouthpieces are FDA-approved for sleep disorder use. Quality ones will be made of medical-grade materials or plastics that are latex and BPA-free. There is a lot of information online; people who suspect they may have this disorder should check out some of the sites to learn more about their condition and options.

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 can help those with this condition lead a more normal life. Sleep deprivation is a serious problem in itself which can compromise health. Anyone with this problem should not ignore it but should seek medical help. A diagnosis is the first step. There is a lot of information online about different kinds of treatment which patients should read in order to understand their options. Lifestyle changes, of course, will be the patient's responsibility; they should be part of the recovery program, which might be incomplete without them.




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