Sleep Apnea &
Snoring
Dr. Zajac helps patients with issues concerning sleep apnea and snoring and feels that it is extremely important that you understand exactly what sleep apnea and snoring are and the repercussions of not taking care of the issue.
What is Sleep Apnea?
In normal breathing patterns, your air passage is clear and air can flow in and out unobstructed. However, when you're asleep, those tissues relax and can constrict that airway. As you breathe in and out during your sleep, the soft tissues in that constricted airway will vibrate, resulting in snoring. In some cases, the airway may even close. When this happens, we have progressed from simple snoring to obstructive sleep apnea.
When your breathing is blocked, your body detects the drop in oxygen levels and responds by giving you a quick moment of
wakefulness, and then you draw a breath. Though you may be unaware, this can happen hundreds of times in a night. The only thing you may notice is that you don't feel rested when you wake up. Solving the obstruction can be as simple as moving the lower jaw forward.
Sleep Apnea symptoms include:
What is Sleep Apnea?
In normal breathing patterns, your air passage is clear and air can flow in and out unobstructed. However, when you're asleep, those tissues relax and can constrict that airway. As you breathe in and out during your sleep, the soft tissues in that constricted airway will vibrate, resulting in snoring. In some cases, the airway may even close. When this happens, we have progressed from simple snoring to obstructive sleep apnea.
When your breathing is blocked, your body detects the drop in oxygen levels and responds by giving you a quick moment of
wakefulness, and then you draw a breath. Though you may be unaware, this can happen hundreds of times in a night. The only thing you may notice is that you don't feel rested when you wake up. Solving the obstruction can be as simple as moving the lower jaw forward.
Sleep Apnea symptoms include:
- Snoring that disturbs you or others
- Sleepiness and fatigue during waking hours, even with a full night's
sleep - Sleepiness and fatigue during waking hours, even with a full night'sleep
- Sudden night awakenings, occasionally with the feeling of gasping for air
- High blood pressure
- Headaches when you wake up in the morning
- Waking up during the night with headaches
The only way to know for certain that you are suffering from sleep apnea and not just ordinary snoring is to get a sleep study. We can help arrange for one for you.
Historically, the first line of defence has been continuous positive
airway pressure or a CPAP device. Many people find them difficult and intrusive into their lives, which may account for the fact that only about 30% of those who are given CPAPs actually use them.
A simpler way is to use a Mandibular (lower jaw) advancement appliance. An appliance is fairly comfortable, unobtrusive, and trouble-free. It simply pushes your lower jaw forward a little as you close your mouth. It can be adjusted to achieve a balance between maximum effectiveness and maximum comfort and is quite popular with patients.
Be aware, though, that while these appliances have an excellent success rate, not every case can be treated with an appliance.
If you feel that you may be suffering from sleep apnea, or simply you or a partner has an annoying snoring problem, feel free to speak with Dr. Zajac or one of our East Oakville Dental team members today.
Historically, the first line of defence has been continuous positive
airway pressure or a CPAP device. Many people find them difficult and intrusive into their lives, which may account for the fact that only about 30% of those who are given CPAPs actually use them.
A simpler way is to use a Mandibular (lower jaw) advancement appliance. An appliance is fairly comfortable, unobtrusive, and trouble-free. It simply pushes your lower jaw forward a little as you close your mouth. It can be adjusted to achieve a balance between maximum effectiveness and maximum comfort and is quite popular with patients.
Be aware, though, that while these appliances have an excellent success rate, not every case can be treated with an appliance.
If you feel that you may be suffering from sleep apnea, or simply you or a partner has an annoying snoring problem, feel free to speak with Dr. Zajac or one of our East Oakville Dental team members today.
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