A Musical Solution to Sleep Apnea?

A group of sleep apnea patients in Vermont have stumbled upon a novel treatment idea for taking back their health: sessions where they play the didgeridoo, a horn-like instrument native to Australia notable for producing long, sustained notes. For the less musically inclined, a variety of sleep apnea appliances can also clear the airway and help facilitate better breathing.

The basic premise of oral appliance therapy is to move the jaw slightly forward and make it easier for breath to enter the body. Patients who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea get less oxygen during sleep because structures in the airway collapse, blocking the flow of breath.

When the tongue, tonsils, and other muscles or soft tissue obstruct the airway, it can increase a patient's risk for a wide range of major health issues. Oral appliances that can keep the airway open and breathing steady during sleep include:

·         Mouth guards

·         Oral splints

·         Mandibular positioners

·         Oral ventilation devices

Oral appliances come in a variety of different designs. A sleep doctor can assess your condition and recommend treatment options that will allow you a good night's rest while keeping your airway open and combating the onset of snoring and sleep apnea symptoms.

Please contact a qualified sleep physician in your area or call 1-866-727-6275 (1-8-NO-PAP-MASK) to schedule a consultation to learn more about sleep apnea diagnosis and whether oral appliance treatment is right for you.

New Study Links Sleep Apnea to Hearing Loss

Researchers who evaluated key characteristics of 14,000 subjects found that patients who suffer from sleep apnea are anywhere from 30% to 90% more likely to experience a loss in the ability to hear sounds on both the high and low ends of the audible sound spectrum. Snoring treatment could be a crucial step for patients suffering from sleep apnea who want to decrease their chances of hearing loss.

The scientists who conducted the study hypothesized that hearing loss could stem from intense vibrations in the inner ear due to the heavy snoring that often accompanies obstructive sleep apnea. Another theory: Blood flow to the ear is interrupted because of the inflammation symptomatic of sleep apnea.

Snoring and choking or gasping sounds during the night are both major signs that you might be suffering from sleep apnea. Typically other people, such as a spouse or roommate, would be the ones to tell you about these symptoms. You might also experience:

·         Dry mouth and sore throat

·         Fatigue upon waking up, as well as throughout the day

·         Headaches

·         Irritability

·         Problems staying focused

If any of these symptoms sound like you, seek treatment for snoring and sleep apnea immediately. A sleep physician can recommend minimally intrusive solutions such as a custom oral appliance and even home remedies to reposition the body to avoid snoring.

To find out more about snoring treatment, please contact a local sleep doctor or call 1-727-866-6275 (1-8-NO-PAP-MASK) today to schedule a consultation.

Drowsy Driving a Major Cause of Car Accidents

The most recent data collected by the Centers for Disease Control estimate that 5,000 to 6,000 fatal auto accidents are caused by driver fatigue each year. With daytime fatigue a major symptom of sleep apnea, it’s important for people at risk of falling asleep at the wheel to seek treatment for their own safety, not to mention the safety of other drivers and pedestrians.

Even after a full night’s rest, many sleep apnea patients complain of feeling tired throughout the day. While this can lead to sluggishness and difficulty focusing on routine tasks, exhaustion and operating a car are a dangerous mix.

Lack of sleep can affect driving in the following ways: 

• Diminished attention to road conditions and traffic
• Reaction times become longer
• Sound judgment and decision making become more difficult

Studies have shown that being awake for 24 hours straight has the same impact on the body as a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .10. Every state in the country has implemented laws making it illegal to drive with a BAC of .08.

Though sleep apnea patients aren’t entirely deprived of sleep, the regular interruptions to breathing can cause a sufferer to wake up sometimes hundreds of times a night. Cumulatively, the loss of sleep can lead to a variety of health problems.

If you suffer from sleep apnea symptoms, you could be putting yourself and other people at risk when you’re on the road. Contact a qualified sleep physician in your area today, or call 1-866-727-6275 (1-8-NO-PAP-MASK) for more information.

Is Sleep Apnea Sabotaging Your Relationship?

An estimated 25% of U.S. couples don’t sleep in the same bed or even the same room. Though studies show a variety of different reasons for this trend, one of the most commonly cited is snoring. If one partner’s snoring is a sign of sleep apnea, both halves of the couple are likely to lose more than sleep.

Loud, persistent snoring throughout the night is often an early sign of apnea. It can also keep others in the immediate vicinity awake, aggravating all concerned.

However, the annoyance posed by snoring isn’t the only way sleep apnea can put strain on a relationship. Along with negative health effects, sleep apnea can also lead to a host of other issues that can impact social, romantic, and professional interactions, including: 

• Mood swings
• Irritability
• Difficulty focusing
• Decrease in sex drive
• Impotence
• For women, irregularities in the menstrual cycle

Many sleep apnea patients suffer from periods of anxiety and depression. These emotional disturbances can only be exacerbated by tensions with friends, family members, and coworkers caused by lack of sleep.

A good night’s rest can help keep your mind, body, and relationships healthy. If you suffer from sleep apnea snoring and other symptoms, contact a qualified local physician in your area or call 1-866-727-6275 (1-8-NO-PAP-MASK) today to begin exploring treatment options.

Distinguishing Between Sleep Apnea and ADHD

Does your child struggle in school, or have difficulty focusing on one activity for a period of time? Though diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has exploded among kids in recent years, it’s possible that your child could be suffering from sleep apnea symptoms.

The symptoms of ADHD and sleep apnea can sometimes overlap. Both often result in:

• Extreme daytime fatigue
• Diminished concentration
• Mood swings and irritability

Children with sleep apnea often face a number of challenges. Chronic inability to sleep well at night can compromise performance in the classroom, cause behavior problems that lead to strained social interactions with peers, and long-term even stunt growth.

Thankfully, there are a variety of sleep apnea treatments that can be customized for adults and kids alike. Although only a qualified physician can provide diagnosis and recommend the correct treatment option, sleep apnea does have several warning signs your child could exhibit.

Like many adults with the disorder, children who suffer from sleep apnea often snore very loudly at night. They might also be extremely tired during the day, and complain of headaches upon waking up.

If you’ve noticed symptoms like these in your child, contact an experienced sleep doctor in your area or call 1-866-727-6275 (1-8-NO-PAP-MASK) to begin exploring sleep apnea treatment options.

Sleep Apnea Appliance Market on Upward Move

Recent data suggest that the market for devices used to diagnose and treat sleep apnea is expected to grow by more than 15 percent in the next two years. Greater supply of and demand for sleep apnea appliances can be attributed to the increasing prevalence of the sleep disorder, which can have fatal consequences if left untreated.

The exact cause of sleep apnea is currently unknown. What is known is that the disturbances in blood oxygen level stemming from interrupted breathing during sleep lead to a variety of serious symptoms.

Research shows that some of the major risk factors for developing sleep apnea are: 

• Age: People over 60 are more likely to develop sleep apnea
• Weight: Overweight and obese individuals are at a significantly higher risk of sleep apnea
• Airway obstructions: Nasal congestion, enlarged tonsils, and narrowness of the throat can interrupt the flow of breath during sleep
• Substance use: Alcohol, tobacco, and sedatives can all increase the likelihood of sleep apnea symptoms

If you're at risk for or already have sleep apnea, appliances for diagnosis and treatment are easy to find. However, many patients find themselves unable to use certain sleep apnea appliances long-term due to discomfort and interruptions to sleep.

Before selecting a sleep apnea appliance, consult a qualified sleep physician who can discuss your options and which one might benefit you the most. To begin exploring treatment, please contact a sleep doctor in your area or call 1-866-727-6275 (1-8-NO-PAP-MASK).

Sleep Apnea Treatment Options

If you find yourself snoring throughout the night and oftentimes waking up severely tired, you may be suffering from sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea is a condition in which a person has difficulty breathing while sleeping, which can sometimes lead to brief cessations of breathing altogether. These breathing problems can cause the patient to never have a fully restful sleep, oftentimes leaving them groggy and sluggish throughout the day.

When considering treatment options for sleep apnea, there are a variety of ways to alleviate the symptoms, including:

•         CPAP device
•          Oral appliance therapy
•          Surgery
•          Behavioral changes
•          Positional sleep therapy
•          Medications

A very common treatment is the Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) device which is often prescribed for sufferers of sleep apnea. The CPAP device would involve you wearing a mask while you sleep that sends air through the nasal passages using a pressurized system. This keeps air flowing through your airway, however, it is oftentimes considered uncomfortable.

Oral appliance therapy involves the use of an oral appliance that can be used to manipulate the jaw so breathing isn't difficult during sleep.

Sometimes medications will be administered in order to alter hormones that may be involved in the breathing difficulties that arise from sleep apnea.

Behavioral therapy can also help to lessen your sleep apnea symptoms. These can include limiting your alcohol consumption and stopping smoking, as both of these can contribute to relaxed muscles in the throat.

Positional sleep therapy can also be integrated as a form of treatment where you simply train yourself to sleep in positions that do not inhibit your breathing abilities.

For more information on sleep apnea treatment, please contact a sleep doctor in your area or call 1-866-727-6275 (1-8-NO-PAP-MASK) today.