Treating Sleep Apnea With Oral Devices

Sleep apnea, a condition in which a person's breathing is periodically paused or disrupted during sleep, affects approximately 18 million Americans. It is usually accompanied by loud snoring which results in a poor night's rest for both sufferer and those they live with. More seriously, untreated sleep apnea can increase the risk of high blood pressure, stroke, and cardiovascular problems.

Typical symptoms of sleep apnea are:

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o Loud and chronic snoring
o Pauses in breathing, followed by choking or gasping
o Shallow breathing
o Recurring daytime fatigue
o Loss of memory and/or concentration
o Morning headaches and/or dry throat

Some patients find relief through changes in habits or lifestyle, such as avoiding alcohol before bed or shedding a few extra pounds. In extreme situations surgery may be appropriate. But the most common treatment for mild to moderate cases is an oral sleep apnea device.

The two most common types are:

o A tongue retaining device, which uses gentle suction to hold the tongue forward and keep it from blocking the throat's airway;
and
o A mandibular repositioning device, which fits along your teeth and holds both the tongue and the jaw forward.

There are many advantages to treating sleep apnea with oral devices. First of all, they are not nearly as invasive as a surgical procedure or a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine. They are also much more affordable. And because they don't require any major lifestyle changes, it is easier for people to commit to this form of treatment.

However, they are not without their disadvantages. Many users have coa Sleep apnea, a condition in which a person's breathing is periodically paused or disrupted during sleep, affects approximately 18 million Americans. It is usually accompanied by loud snoring which results in a poor night's rest for both sufferer and those they live with. More seriously, untreated sleep apnea can increase the risk of high blood pressure, stroke, and cardiovascular problems.

Typical symptoms of sleep apnea are:

o Loud and chronic snoring

o Pauses in breathing, followed by choking or gasping

o Shallow breathing

o Recurring daytime fatigue

o Loss of memory and/or concentration

o Morning headaches and/or dry throat

Some patients find relief through changes in habits or lifestyle, such as avoiding alcohol before bed or shedding a few extra pounds. In extreme situations surgery may be appropriate. But the most common treatment for mild to moderate cases is an oral sleep apnea device.

The two most common types are:

o A tongue retaining device, which uses gentle suction to hold the tongue forward and keep it from blocking the throat's airway;

and

o A mandibular repositioning device, which fits along your teeth and holds both the tongue and the jaw forward.

There are many advantages to treating sleep apnea with oral devices. First of all, they are not nearly as invasive as a surgical procedure or a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine. They are also much more affordable. And because they don't require any major lifestyle changes, it is easier for people to commit to this form of treatment.

However, they are not without their disadvantages. Many users have complained that oral devices are uncomfortable, causing dry mouths and sore gums. They can also cause a shift in tooth or jaw placement over time, which is why it is important to have a sedation dentist or orthodontist custom-fit one for your mouth.

The effectiveness of treatment depends on a variety of factors unique to each patient. Consult your dental professional to find out if an oral sleep apnea device is right for you.mplained that oral devices are uncomfortable, causing dry mouths and sore gums. They can also cause a shift in tooth or jaw placement over time, which is why it is important to have a sedation dentist or orthodontist custom-fit one for your mouth.

The effectiveness of treatment depends on a variety of factors unique to each patient. Consult your dental professional to find out if an oral sleep apnea device is right for you.

Treating Sleep Apnea With Oral Devices

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Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP) Devices

Bi-Level Positive Airway Pressure devices (BiPAP) are a variation on the CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machines and both are prescribed for use with the treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). Both machines work by pumping airflow through sleep apnea masks to the nasal passageway that is connected via tubing to the BiPAP machinery. Unlike the CPAP which provides airflow at a constant rate and pressure throughout the night, BiPAP adjusts to the amount of air needed based on your inspiration and expiration, changing the level of airflow pressure according to your breathing rhythm.

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A sleep study is performed to establish if the patient has obstructive sleep apnea, and to assess which machine will be most suitable for that person's treatment. In most cases it will be CPAP therapy that is prescribed after the sleep study and this form of treatment is covered by most insurance company policies. However, as the bi-level positive airway pressure devices are more expensive, some insurance companies will not cover this form of treatment unless it is prescribed as necessary by a physician.

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For continued cover of the costs involved, both Medicare and private medical insurers will insist upon follow up consultations with your physician. This is in order to establish and document that the use of either machine is providing an improvement in your symptoms. As both CPAP and BiPAP are treatments that require continuous use every night to improve symptoms and quality of life. Many people find that they cannot use this form of sleep apnea treatment for many reasons as discussed below. It is important to tell your physician if you are finding it difficult to wear the device and they may be able to provide a different sleep apnea mask that is more comfortable for you to wear and use.

The benefits of using CPAP and BiPAP machines

Many studies have shown that CPAP therapy is the best treatment available for severe sleep apnea currently available today. Both bi-level positive airway pressure and continuous positive airway pressure are considered medically safe and effective for use in adults and children alike. Obstructive apnea is effectively treated with continued use and is generally a more effective treatment than undergoing surgery.

Health benefits include:

Drowsiness or sleepiness during the day will improve or be cured

Reaction times and concentration levels often increase with treatment

Both hypertension symptoms and heart function improve with continuous use

Quality of life of the obstructive sleep apnea sufferer improves

The risks of developing other serious diseases that are attributed to severe sleep apnea are reduced

Some studies indicate that life expectancy could be increased

Problems associated with CPAP/BiPAP machine use include:

Due to the rather cumbersome machinery involved the first few nights of usage are often difficult for most patients. Patients either have less sleep than normal or find it impossible to sleep due to discomfort in wearing the sleep apnea masks associated with both machines.

Other possible side effects of usage include:

Feeling claustrophobic or a sense of slow suffocation

Problem with exhalation

Sore/dry throat sensation or sore eyes upon waking

Nasal congestion or sinus problems

Headache

Nose bleeding

Discomfort of the chest muscles which is due to the increased lung volume from the forced airflow

Sleep apnea masks problem like rashes and skin chafing and bruising, or conjunctivitis from an air leakage due to incorrect and loose fitting of the device

Inability to sleep properly long term due to either discomfort or the sound of the machine through the night

It is thought that as many as half of patients who are prescribed with this form of therapy discontinue this form of treatment for one or more reasons

Bi-level positive airway pressure devices can also be used for the treatment of Hypercapnia and some forms of restricted lung disease.

While it is true that this form of obstructive sleep apnea treatment is difficult for the patient to get used to, the benefits of use and subsequent quality of life improvement out way the problems associated with CPAP/BiPAP therapy. Regular follow-up sessions with a physician can help to overcome the difficulty in using and fitting this device and lead to a long term solution for the sleep apnea sufferer.

Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP) Devices

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