Sleep Apnea Treatments

    /24-7PressRelease/ - CHICAGO, IL, April 12, 2008 - Sleep apnea is a potentially serious condition that causes periods of stopped breathing during the night. Obstructive sleep apnea, OSA, refers to airway blockage that causes a sufferer to stray from their usual breathing pattern by pausing for an unusual length of time between breaths.

The Effects of Apnea

Sleep apnea affects an estimated 12 million Americans, and the majority of sufferers don't know they have this condition. If you have sleep apnea, you are familiar with the many unpleasant symptoms that can occur, such as fatigue, headaches, frequent snoring, congestion, sleeplessness, and others. In addition to the long list of noticeable problems that can accompany sleep apnea, this condition can also have a negative effect on your general health with links to serious medical problems.

Here are a few of the conditions that have been linked to sleep apnea:

• Cardiovascular disease
• Memory problems
• Weight gain
• Impotency
• High blood pressure
• Narcolepsy
• Mood disorders
• Depression
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Hyperactivity or ADHD in children

Sleep Study Diagnosis

Since public awareness is gradually increasing regarding sleep apnea, it is much easier to find help today than even just a few years ago. Now there are many cosmetic dentists who offer sleep apnea diagnosis and treatment. Diagnosis usually starts with a sleep study where the patient is observed during sleep to measure the frequency and severity of halted breathing episodes and to evaluate breathing patterns.

Effective Apnea Treatments

As sleep apnea technology continues to progress, the treatments made available offer sleep apnea sufferers more options than ever. Treatment is a highly personalized process and will vary based on the patient's needs. Here are a few of the treatment options that may offer relief:

• Continuous Positive Airway Pressure device (CPAP) — CPAP is a mask-like device that patients can wear overnight to help keep the airway clear and encourage normal breathing.
• Behavioral or lifestyle changes — For some, simple changes like losing weight, exercising and altering diet can help alleviate symptoms of apnea.
• Surgery - In cases where more conservative options prove ineffective, surgery can help those who are experiencing breathing problems due to anatomical causes by expanding the airway.
• Sleep habit changes - Sometimes changing sleeping position or location, adding a humidifier, avoiding alcohol and sedatives, and other behavioral changes can help.
• Medications - Certain medications may help patients manage the daytime sleepiness and fatigue symptoms.
• Dental appliances - there are a variety of oral appliances, including the tongue retaining device and mandibular repositioning device, that can be worn to encourage positive airflow and regulated breathing


Talk to an experienced sleep apnea dentist for more information on the treatments available. You can also find out more about sleep apnea causes, diagnosis and treatment by doing your own research: Sleep apnea resources.

Please contact Colonial Dental Group in Chicago, Illinois today to schedule an appointment for a full evaluation of your snoring/sleep apnea problem.

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