Dental Appliances For Sleep Apnea Relief

By Marcie Goodman


Dental appliances for sleep apnea relief are really anti-snoring devices, but they seem to alleviate many symptoms of this disorder. They have been used for more than ten years, proving their effectiveness in clinical trials. There are several types of this serious condition, and the devices help with the 'obstructive' sort. People with this condition can also help themselves with some lifestyle changes that compliment medical treatments.

People afflicted with this disorder rarely get adequate rest, because they stop breathing repeatedly while sleeping. The interruptions last from ten seconds to several minutes, and this may happen many times an hour. Understandably, sufferers are fatigued, sleepy during the day, and may become increasingly irritable and even aggressive. They have difficulty performing routine tasks and may become clinically depressed.

A fraction of cases of this serious problem are caused by brain stem dysfunction, but most are caused by airway blockage and are termed 'obstructive'. This, the most common, is the type of disorder that can be relieved by oral appliances. The mouthpieces fit over the teeth and are FDA-approved and endorsed by sleeping disorder specialists.

One of the major causes of this problem is obesity. People who are grossly overweight often already have breathing problems. In this instance, lack of muscle tone causes the soft tissues of the throat and airways to collapse when the person is sleeping. Losing weight and exercising under medical supervision can help alleviate breathing problems. Doctors also recommend avoiding alcohol and tobacco smoking.

Serious diseases like heart problems or those which cause chronic pain can be complicated by apnea, which can be caused by some medications. The brain is affected by sleeping disruption, and patients exhibit a variety of symptoms, making diagnosis more difficult. Some people suffer memory loss, some have difficulty in concentrating, and others may find routine tasks hard to perform. This affects daily living, job performance, and total health.

Dental devices are mouthpieces that fit over the teeth and advance the lower jaw. This is done gradually, with adjustments to the mouthpiece, until the prescribed adjustment is achieved. The devices are made so the patient can do the adjustments; this minimizes discomfort. The advancement of the lower jaw keeps upper airways open. There are many different devices on the market. It's informative to go online and look at the options, materials used, and guarantees offered by manufacturers.

People who stop breathing during slumber rarely know that they do so. Other people in the household often tell them of the problem, which is both noisy and frightening to listen to. Special clinics monitor people during the night to chart their breathing and make a definitive diagnosis. Clinics can also help judge the effectiveness of treatment.

Dental appliances for sleep apnea are recommended as the first thing to try in treating this disorder. Not getting adequate rest is a serious handicap, so anyone who suspects that they or family members have this problem should seek medical help. Lifestyle changes alone might suffice if people are truly dedicated to losing weight and exercising their way back to health. However, any such major changes should also be done under medical supervision.




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