The damaging effects of
the potentially deadly sleep disorder known as obstructive sleep
apnea (OSA) may be evident within as little as 30 days after the onset of
the condition, according to a model designed by researchers at the Baylor
College of Medicine in Texas.
Although OSA has long
been associated with an increased risk of stroke, the effect of sleep apnea on
brain vessels is still unclear. Previous study models have exposed animals to a
decrease in blood oxygen levels in order to attempt to replicate the effects of
apnea, in which a person’s breathing stops periodically during sleep.
The new model developed
by Texas researchers induces a closure of the airway to more thoroughly reflect
true sleep apnea. Using this method, researchers induced 30 apneas of 10
seconds each per hour in animals for eight hours during sleep cycles.
Researchers found that
after just 30 days of exposure, the brain vessel function was reduced by as
much as 22 percent, dramatically increasing the risk for stroke. The findings
indicate that damage to the vascular lining in brain arteries could be a factor
that predisposes people with OSA to stroke.
Although obstructive
sleep apnea is a dangerous and widespread affliction that affects tens of
millions of Americans, it is treatable. The field of dental sleep
medicine offers a number of treatment options that are effective and more comfortable
than traditional continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices.
A qualified sleep
dentist can assess your sleep apnea symptoms and recommend a treatment option
specific to your needs, including oral appliances.
If you or a loved one
experiences chronic snoring or other symptoms of sleep apnea, please contact IHateCPAP.com to
locate an experienced sleep dentist near you.