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The Importance of Treating Sleep Apnea and the Advancements in Sleep Apnea Appliances

Posted by Genny Skrobanek on November 26, 2024

Sleep apnea is a serious medical condition affecting millions of individuals worldwide. Characterized by interruptions in breathing during sleep, this condition can lead to significant health problems if left untreated. Beyond the snoring and restless nights, sleep apnea has been linked to conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and chronic fatigue. Fortunately, advancements in sleep apnea appliances offer a non-invasive, effective way to manage the condition and improve quality of life.

This comprehensive guide explores why treating sleep apnea is essential, the dangers of ignoring it, and how modern sleep apnea appliances can provide relief.

Understanding Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea occurs when the airway becomes partially or completely blocked during sleep, causing temporary pauses in breathing. These interruptions can happen dozens or even hundreds of times a night, disrupting the sleep cycle and reducing oxygen levels in the blood.

Types of Sleep Apnea:

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): The most common form, caused by a physical blockage of the airway, often due to relaxed throat muscles.
Central Sleep Apnea: Caused by a failure of the brain to send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.
Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome: A combination of both obstructive and central sleep apnea.

Why Treating Sleep Apnea is Crucial

Ignoring sleep apnea can lead to serious health consequences. Understanding the risks underscores the importance of seeking treatment.

1. Health Risks

Cardiovascular Disease: Untreated sleep apnea increases the risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, and irregular heart rhythms.
Type 2 Diabetes: Sleep apnea can exacerbate insulin resistance, a key factor in type 2 diabetes.
Weight Gain and Obesity: Poor sleep quality affects hormone levels, increasing hunger and cravings for unhealthy foods.

2. Cognitive Impairment

Interrupted sleep impacts memory, concentration, and overall cognitive function, increasing the likelihood of accidents and workplace errors.

3. Emotional Well-Being

Sleep apnea contributes to mood disorders such as depression and anxiety due to chronic fatigue and poor sleep quality.

4. Reduced Quality of Life

Fatigue, irritability, and diminished energy levels can take a toll on personal relationships, work performance, and overall enjoyment of life.

Traditional Treatments for Sleep Apnea

1. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)

CPAP machines are the most common treatment for sleep apnea. They deliver a constant stream of air through a mask, keeping the airway open. While effective, CPAP devices can be uncomfortable and inconvenient for many patients, leading to poor compliance.

2. Surgery

In severe cases, surgery to remove excess tissue or reposition the jaw may be recommended. However, surgery carries risks and is typically a last resort.

The Role of Sleep Apnea Appliances

Sleep apnea appliances, also known as oral appliances, provide a non-invasive, patient-friendly alternative to CPAP machines. These devices are custom-designed to fit comfortably in the mouth and address the underlying causes of obstructive sleep apnea.

How Sleep Apnea Appliances Work

The primary function of these appliances is to keep the airway open during sleep. They achieve this by:

Repositioning the Jaw: Moving the lower jaw slightly forward to prevent the tongue and soft tissues from collapsing into the airway.
Stabilizing the Tongue: Holding the tongue in place to prevent it from obstructing airflow.

Advancements in Sleep Apnea Appliance Technology

Modern sleep apnea appliances incorporate advanced technology to maximize comfort, effectiveness, and ease of use.

1. Custom-Fit Design

Dental professionals, like Dr. Skrobanek at GPS Dental, use 3D scanning and imaging technology to create appliances tailored to the unique anatomy of each patient’s mouth. This ensures a snug, comfortable fit that promotes better compliance.

2. Lightweight and Durable Materials

Newer appliances are made from lightweight, hypoallergenic materials that are durable and easy to clean.

3. Adjustable Features

Many appliances allow for micro-adjustments, enabling patients to find the most comfortable and effective position for their jaw and tongue.

4. Integration with Monitoring Devices

Some appliances are equipped with sensors that track sleep patterns and breathing, providing valuable data to patients and healthcare providers.

5. Improved Aesthetics

Today’s sleep apnea appliances are more discreet and less bulky, making them appealing for patients who may have been hesitant to use earlier designs.

Benefits of Sleep Apnea Appliances

For many patients, sleep apnea appliances offer several advantages over traditional treatments like CPAP machines:

Comfort and Convenience
Oral appliances are less intrusive and more portable, making them ideal for travel and daily use.
Quiet Operation
Unlike CPAP machines, appliances are silent, allowing for a more peaceful sleep environment.
Increased Compliance
Studies show that patients are more likely to consistently use oral appliances due to their ease of use and comfort.
Non-Invasive Solution
Sleep apnea appliances provide effective treatment without the need for surgery or cumbersome machinery.
Improved Sleep Quality
By addressing the root cause of airway obstruction, these appliances help restore uninterrupted sleep, leaving patients feeling more refreshed and energetic.

Choosing the Right Sleep Apnea Appliance

Selecting the right appliance requires consultation with a qualified dentist or sleep specialist. The process typically involves:

Evaluation and Diagnosis
A comprehensive sleep study or at-home sleep test is performed to assess the severity of sleep apnea.
Custom Fitting
Using digital impressions or 3D imaging, the dentist designs an appliance tailored to the patient’s needs.
Adjustment Period
Patients may need a short adjustment period to get used to the appliance and optimize its effectiveness.
Ongoing Monitoring
Regular follow-ups ensure the appliance remains effective and comfortable over time.

Success Stories: How Sleep Apnea Appliances Change Lives

For many patients, sleep apnea appliances have been life-changing. Improved sleep quality leads to better physical health, emotional well-being, and overall quality of life. Here are a few ways these devices have made a difference:

Increased Energy Levels: Patients report feeling more rested and alert throughout the day.
Better Relationships: Eliminating snoring and irritability improves relationships with partners and family members.
Health Improvements: Many patients see reductions in blood pressure and other health risks associated with sleep apnea.

Final Thoughts

Sleep apnea is a serious condition that requires prompt treatment to prevent long-term health consequences. While CPAP machines remain a common solution, sleep apnea appliances offer a comfortable, effective alternative that aligns with the needs of modern patients.

If you or a loved one is struggling with sleep apnea, don’t wait to seek help. Consult with Dr. Skrobanek, your sleep specialist, to explore your options and start your journey toward better sleep and improved health today.

With advancements in technology and increased awareness, treating sleep apnea has never been easier or more accessible. Reclaim your nights and enjoy the benefits of uninterrupted, restorative sleep with the help of a custom sleep apnea appliance.

Dr. Gary P. Skrobanek’s experienced and friendly team at GPS Dental offers affordable dental care for all ages in San Antonio, TX area. Our Brooks City Base dentist office is conveniently located and offers early morning appointment times Monday through Friday to meet your needs. At GPS Dental, we promote dental health awareness to our patients and provide most dental services, from family and general dentistry to dental implants, sleep apnea, TMJ / TMD Treatment, cosmetic dentistry and much more. We accept most dental insurance plans and offer affordable financial solutions for any budget. Call us at 210-633-3477 to make an appointment.

Sleep Apnea Impacts Your Health in More Ways than Snoring!

Posted by Genny Skrobanek on June 4, 2024

Sleep Apnea impacts your health in more ways that just snoring! According to estimates, 50 million to 70 million people in the U.S. have ongoing sleep disorders and sleep apnea is extremely common with over 18 million adults experiencing a form of sleep apnea every night according to the National Sleep Foundation. Sleep apnea can be caused from multiple factors, such as obesity, large tonsils, a small airway, smoking, alcohol use, and more. Whatever the reason of sleep apnea, it causes pauses of breathing during a sleep cycle. This means that when you have sleep apnea, you could be waking up multiple times throughout the night and losing sleep.

What happens to your body when you sleep (or try to sleep)?

As you rest, your body becomes less tense because your muscles relax. Sleep is the time when your body heals and repairs itself to prepare you for the following day. However, Sleep Apnea impacts your health and can cause sleep to be problematic, because it limits their ability to rest and restore their bodies properly.

Primary symptoms of the disorder are irregular breathing, excessive snoring, and occasional breaks or pauses in breathing, which occur due to the complete relaxation of the throat muscles or airway blockage.

Other symptoms may include:

constant fatigue
depression
chronic headaches
high blood pressure
obesity
complications during pregnancy

If these symptoms are left dismissed, and sleep apnea persists, heart failure, heart attack, high blood pressure, stroke, death, and other serious health issues can result.

It may even be indicative of other serious underlying health issues such as:

diabetes
neurological illness
mental illness
heart disease

Want to know more about SLEEP?? Here are 100 Sleep Statistics, including facts and data about sleep in 2023, according to SleepFoundation.org.

Big Three: Types of Sleep Apnea

While usually following a similar pattern, identifying and classifying your specific type of sleep apnea is indeed a crucial part of resolving the disorder, as sleep apnea impacts your health, can have multiple causes, and can manifest itself in several different variations.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea:

Obstructive sleep (or OSA) apnea is without doubt, the most common form of sleep apnea, as it affects approximately 3.6 million Americans today. However, despite such staggering statistics, it is believed that only 10% of those suffering from OSA recognize the symptoms and actively seek treatment for the condition, thereby leaving most suffers untreated.

Some of the signs and symptoms of OSA are:

Noticeably loud snoring
Headaches
Dry mouth
Excessive drowsiness or sleepiness throughout the day
Repeated shortness of breath (abrupt awakenings) while asleep

Generally, the root cause of OSA, is attributed to relaxation of muscles while asleep, during which the tongue may cause a partial blockage of a person’s airway.

Central Sleep Apnea:

As opposed to being something of a mechanical problem like OSA, central sleep apnea (or CSA) is more of a muscle signal or miscommunication problem that originates within the brainstem. Although considerably less prevalent than OSA, CSA should not be taken lightly as it may likely be indicative of serious underlying health issues such as heart failure or Parkinson’s Disease.

Common symptoms of CSA may include:

Chronic fatigue
Poor concentration
Depression
Snoring
Shortness of breath
Repeated abrupt awaking

With the central nervous system compromised, both voluntary and involuntary muscle movement becomes increasingly restricted, therefore causing interruptions in involuntary actions such as breathing. This can be particularly problematic during sleep, as the suffer may repeatedly experience abrupt awakenings while attempting to rest, as a natural reaction to the sudden lack of oxygen.

Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome:

The final and as its name implies, most severe and advanced form of sleep apnea is complex or mixed sleep apnea syndrome. Complex sleep apnea (or perhaps more appropriately referred to as Mixed Sleep Apnea) is a combination for both OSA and CSA, and typically presents symptoms of both. Often in the cases of complex sleep apnea, a sufferer should seek immediate treatment as the standard of living with this condition may deteriorate rapidly. (e.g. going for too long without the adequate amount of sleep).

A Review of Sleep Apnea Symptoms

When you lose sleep due to sleep apnea, you can experience a multitude of symptoms. We often associate loud snoring with sleep apnea, as it is sometimes a sign of breathing issues. If you or a loved one experiences any of these symptoms, it may be time to talk with your doctor and your dentist about sleep apnea. Are you beginning to understand why Sleep Apnea impacts your health?

Information from the Mayo Clinic and Types of Sleep Apnea.

Common Sleep Apnea Symptoms:

Loud snoring
Excessive sleepiness and fatigue throughout the day
Trouble concentrating
Gasping for air during sleep
Dry mouth
Headaches in the morning after waking up
Depression
Irritability

If these sleep apnea symptoms are left untreated for a long period of time, they could lead to more serious health complications, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and more.

More on Sleep Apnea Symptoms from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

Are Children Affected by Sleep Apnea?

The short answer is: YES!! According to sleepforkids.org, 13 percent of children from ages 6 to 11 are overweight. While these age groups should be getting between 10-11 hours of sleep per night, obesity can cause these numbers to go down due to sleep apnea. So, what exactly is sleep apnea and how is it affecting our children? And for children, can sleep apnea impacts your health too?

Can children develop sleep apnea? Read more HERE.

What Causes Sleep Apnea?

The overall success in treating sleep apnea remains relatively high; however, the rate of success depends heavily on finding the exact cause of the disorder and selecting the best method of treatment.

Various causes can contribute to sleep apnea. However, one of the most common causes of this disorder is obesity; as fat deposits that accumulate around the neck place pressure on the throat, limiting the body’s ability to breathe sufficiently. Large tonsils are also a cause of sleep apnea as they tend to obstruct the passage of air into and out of the body.

Other sleep apnea causes include premature births and genetic syndromes that impact facial structures such as congenital central hypoventilation syndrome. Heart and kidney failure, PCOS, hypothyroidism, and conditions that interfere with the brain’s signals can also contribute to a person’s development of sleep apnea.

Related Article: How Would You Know if You Suffer from Sleep Apnea?

Treatments for Sleep Apnea

If you are experiencing the common symptoms of sleep apnea, your dentist or doctor may ask you to participate in a sleep study to monitor your breathing throughout the night. They may ask you about your medical history or perform a physical exam to reach a diagnosis. Remember, more than your sleep can be affected by sleep apnea.

Once a diagnosis is confirmed, there are multiple treatment options for sleep apnea, including:

Weight loss
Surgery
Mouthpieces
Breathing devices
Mouth therapy

Research shows that oral appliance therapy, or a mouth guard, is an effective treatment option for sleep apnea and snoring. At GPS Dental, we know Sleep Apnea impacts your health and we take sleep apnea very seriously. Our FDA-approved mouthguards can help open your airway and support your jaw when sleeping. Talk to Dr. Skrobanek to see what treatment is right for you and begin your path to a better night’s sleep!

Home Remedies for Sleep Apnea from Healthline.

Signs of Sleep Apnea: The Bedtime Battle!

Posted by Genny Skrobanek on June 12, 2018

With long hours spent at work, and the sometimes-grueling daily grind in today’s workforce, it’s easy to see why bedtime is such a welcomed time of day for many people. However, signs of sleep apnea can cause constant interruptions in one’s rest that can quickly turn this time of relaxation into an exhausting, nightly battle for sleep! Certainly, such a scenario sounds like a nightmare; however, for those suffering from sleep apnea, this nightmare is an unfortunate reality as those afflicted must endure this bedtime battle on a regular basis!

The Signs of Sleep Apnea

Although still somewhat unfamiliar to the general populace (and often unknown to non-sufferers) sleep apnea is actually a relatively common sleep disorder that affects approximately 3.6 million people in the U.S. today. Signs of sleep apnea are frequently indicated by:

explicitly loud snoring and/or breathing
simultaneously experiencing progressively shallow wheezing
irregular breathing
frequent lapses in breathing patterns during sleep

Related Article: 10 Signs You May Have Sleep Apnea

Due to this, the signs of sleep apnea are frequently characterized incorrectly as simply a nuisance; a nuisance generally experienced by the sleeping partner of the sufferer rather than the sufferer themselves.

Unfortunately, the issues associated with sleep apnea run much deeper than that, as it is a chronic disorder that can develop into a serious health concern with far-reaching complications. Such symptoms, issues and signs of sleep apnea may include the development or worsening of conditions such as:

chronic headaches
heightened blood pressure
depression
chronic fatigue
complications during pregnancy

It may even be indicative of other serious underlying health issues such as diabetes, neurological illness, mental illness, or heart disease.

While sleep apnea can certainly be a problematic disorder if left unchecked or improperly treated, fortunately thanks to combined effort from both professional dentistry as well the general and specialized fields of orthodontic and respiratory therapy research, signs of sleep apnea can be identified and treated in several ways. Although the overall success in treating sleep apnea remains relatively high, the rate of success depends heavily on finding the exact cause of the disorder, and therefore select the appropriate method of treatment.

Types & Triggers: What Causing Your Sleep Apnea?

While usually following a similar pattern, identifying and classifying your specific type of sleep apnea is indeed a crucial part of resolving the disorder, as sleep apnea can have multiple causes, and can manifest itself in several different variations.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Unquestionably, the most common variation of the disorder is known as Obstructive Sleep Apnea and as its name implies, indicates an obstruction or blockage within the sufferer’s airway. This occurs as result of muscle relaxation causing the tongue to inadvertently cover and block off the airway, thereby hindering the flow of air.

Central Sleep Apnea

Central Sleep Apnea is another distinct (but much less common) variation of sleep apnea, which is triggered from a highly different source altogether. Contrasting heavily to the before-mentioned obstructive sleep apnea, Central Sleep Apnea originates within the brain stem of the afflicted individual, and directly affects the central nervous system’s ability to transmit signals throughout the body.

Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome

Certainly, both aforementioned types of sleep apnea can present a whole slew of problems in terms of one’s physical and mental well-being. Unfortunately for a certain number of sleep apnea suffers, the disorder can even evolve into a compound issue, in which they develop what’s known as Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome.

Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome, (or perhaps more appropriately referred to as Mixed Sleep Apnea) is the simultaneous manifestation of both Obstructive and Central Sleep Apnea. Obviously, this is considered to be the most severe variation of sleep apnea, and while cases of Complex Sleep Apnea are exceptionally rare, it can occur if sleep apnea is improperly treated, or by interference of additional health issues or outside circumstances.

Mask or Mouth Guard? Finding the Right Solution for You

Sleep Apnea Solution: CPAP Mask

To combat and alleviate the various issues caused by sleep apnea, the Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machine, (better known as the “CPAP Mask”) was developed during the early 1980s. Being the only device of its kind at the time, the CPAP mask has been widely successful since its inception and continues to be the most commonly used therapy when treating the disorder.

Despite its undeniable success, the CPAP mask is not without its flaws as the cumbersome and somewhat awkward facial apparatus has been known to cause varying degrees of discomfort, thus leading to a less then desirable or even intolerable experience among some users.

Sleep Apnea Solution: Mouth Guard

Therefore, to accommodate those with this issue, and provide sleep apnea sufferers with an alternative treatment method, the dental industry has introduced a new type of mouth guard to be used to manage the affliction.

While historically a mouthguard is best known for being an essential piece of equipment for athletes in various sports; however, more recently they have become known serving another important purpose. This purpose, (of course) is providing an alternative method in the ever-consistent battle against sleep apnea.

Used primarily in treating the much more common Obstructive Sleep Apnea, the Mandibular Advancement Device (or MAD mouthguard as its often called) is a night-time mouth guard that at first glance, resembles a standard sports mouth guard in general appearance. However, unlike the sports mouth-guard, the unique MAD mouth guard is designed to shift forward and re-position your jaw, thus preventing the tongue (or anything else) from obstructing and blocking airflow. This not only reduces the signs of sleep apnea, including excessive snoring and wheezing during sleep, but also allows the sufferer to experience a much deeper and uninterrupted nightly rest, thus significantly improving the health and overall well being of the individual!

Surviving Sleep Apnea: You CAN Do It! We CAN Help!

At GPS Dental, we have helped many patients suffering from sleep apnea for a several years now and look to continue doing so as the annual number of sleep apnea suffers within the U.S. continues to remain largely stagnant.

As human beings, we are an active, intelligent, and highly successful species; however, when robbed of the necessary amount of sleep, our bodies’ natural ability to function is severely hindered. Simply put, you NEED your sleep, and with an ongoing issue like sleep apnea, getting a good nights sleep can be almost impossible!

If this sounds like you, come see us here at GPS Dental as by visiting our offices, Dr. Skrobanek can assess your sleep apnea and determine if the MAD appliance is right for you!

Related Article: Sleep Apnea Treatment in San Antonio

Dr. Gary P. Skrobanek is an expert in sleep apnea and would like to discuss your signs of sleep apnea at your consultation or dental appointment. His experienced, friendly team at GPS Dental offers affordable dentistry and gentle family dental care in the San Antonio, TX area. Our Brooks City Base dentist office is conveniently located and offers early morning appointment times Monday through Friday to meet your needs. At GPS Dental, we provide most dental services, from family and general dentistry to dental implants, sleep apnea, TMJ / TMD Treatment, cosmetic dentistry and much more. We accept most dental insurance plans and offer affordable financial solutions for any budget. Call us at (210) 633-3477 to make an appointment.