Don’t Ignore a Snore

By Mayoor Patel, DDS, MS

It’s 7 AM and the sound of your alarm clock wakes you up—ugh, not again. You struggle to get out of bed even though you slept a full 8 hours! As you kick the covers off, you stumble around the room with a nagging headache, you feel groggy, and your mouth is dry—blegh. Does this sound like your typical morning routine?

Do you have difficulty falling asleep or even staying asleep? Does your bed partner frequently tell you that you snore? Yes, you know that elbow jab in the middle of the night—ouch! Do you wake up in the middle of night coughing, choking, or gasping for air? Do you often feel tired during the day? Is your sleep non-refreshing and your work is negatively affected?

If you answered yes to these questions, you may be ignoring a sleep disorder that could be damaging your overall health. Let’s take a closer look:

Signs and Symptoms

When you struggle to wake up or to remain motivated throughout your day, there’s a chance you might suffer from sleep-disordered breathing. I know what you’re thinking, “Oh, great. Why is this happening to me?” Don’t get discouraged just yet, there is a solution for you.

One or more of the following symptoms are typically indications of sleep-disordered breathing:

• Pauses in breathing during sleep
• Loud snoring
• Choking or gasping during sleep
• Memory, learning, and concentration problems
• Mood swings, irritability, or depression

And, if you do suffer from one or more of these symptoms, it definitely means you should seek treatment immediately. Sleep apnea is not something to be ignored. Education is essential in getting your health on track.

What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

The airway from the nose down into the lungs is a sensitive mechanism. When awake, the muscles in the airway keep it open and allow us to breathe normally, and while we sleep, the muscles relax. Obstructive sleep apnea (also known by the abbreviation OSA) occurs when the softer tissues of the upper airway collapse and close off the airway. A relatively small collapse can cause snoring, and generally increases the required breathing effort.

Full closure of the airway may prevent breathing for extended periods, or until the brain detects the hazardous state and temporarily wakes up, allowing you to gasp for air. These arousals are generally too short for one to remember in the morning.

Why Should I Be Concerned?

Over 30% of Americans have sleep disorders, but most do not know it. The consequences are scientifically proven, and include the risk of developing other serious diseases such as:

• Hypertension
• Heart Failure
• Stroke
• Type II Diabetes
• Weight Gain
• Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Immune System Deficiencies

Physicians have described more than 70 sleep disorders, most of which can be managed effectively once they are correctly diagnosed. Common sleep disorders include the following:

• Sleep Apnea
• Restless Legs Syndrome
• Narcolepsy
• Parasomnias
• Insomnia
• Circadian Rhythm Disorders

Treatment Options and Solutions

Evidence supports that upper airway collapsibility is the underlying cause of OSA and snoring, which fall into the category of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB).

Treatment options include: medical interventions, continuous positive airway pressure(CPAP) systems, positional therapy, weight loss therapy, and oral appliance therapy (OAT). Surgery is recommended in very select cases.

Patel

How Can a Dentist Help Me Treat OSA?

Many people do not know that well-versed and trained dentists are often the first to recognize important signs and symptoms of SBD by evaluating the upper airway, anatomy, tonsils, and teeth. By law, dentists cannot diagnose OSA; however, they can work with a sleep medicine physician to create and implement your treatment plan.

How Much Will This Cost Me?

All major healthcare insurance plans provide coverage for sleep medicine consultations, diagnostic testing, and treatment of sleep disorders. Phew! What a relief!

It’s time to stop snoring; start living!

Mayoor Patel, DDS, MS, is the owner of Atlanta’s Craniofacial Pain and Dental Sleep Center of Georgia.