Solutions for Snoring & Sleep Apnea

Have you ever been told that you stop breathing when you are sleeping?

Have you ever woken up suddenly with shortness of breath, gasping or with your heart racing?

Do you feel excessively sleepy during the day?

If you answer YES to any of these questions, you may have sleep apnea.

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea by definition is when the airway collapses restricting or completely blocking the flow of air into the lungs.  When this happens, the heart will work in overdrive struggling to get oxygen to the brain. If the obstruction is severe enough, you may have periods where you stop breathing until the brain's oxygen levels fall low enough that your body gives you a boost of adrenaline to wake you, so you take a breath.  Because of havoc sleep apnea wreaks on the body, it has been associated with high blood pressure, heart problems and stroke, not to mention the effect non-refreshing sleep can have on everyday life.

One of the most common side effects of sleep apnea is snoring. Snoring is a problem that affects more than 40% of adults by the age of 40 and, unfortunately, commonly affects others around you.  This doesn't mean that you have to have sleep apnea though. Snoring has many contributing factors. It is caused by a vibration of the soft palate and uvula, which can occur when the airway is obstructed. 

There are many ways this can occur:

• Nasal constriction or sinus infection due to a cold or allergies,

• An overly relaxed throat or tongue,

• Large tonsils, a long soft palate or uvula,

• Excessively flabby tissue due to obesity and aging,

• Deformities or polyps in the nose.

Whether snoring is related to sleep apnea or not, a dental appliance similar to an orthodontic retainer can be designed to prevent the soft throat tissues from obstructing the airway by bringing the lower jaw forward, holding the tongue forward, and/or lifting a drooping soft palate. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine suggests using an oral appliance as the first treatment option for patients with heavy snoring and mild or moderate sleep apnea.  Other solutions may include a simple nasal strip, CPAP (a mask and headgear that blow pressurized air into the airway to keep it open), or surgery.

If you want help with your snoring or suspect you have sleep apnea, call us today to make an appointment for an evaluation with Dr. Ripplinger. At Whitehaven Dental we can evaluate the cause of your snoring and suggest a solution specific to your needs.