What is sleep Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
OSA occurs when the muscles and tissue surrounding the throat relax causing the airway to completely collapse and block air flow into the lungs. This blockage cuts off the oxygen supply to the body and brain. The airway obstruction persists until the brain partially awakens the person.
The repeating cycle-falling asleep, muscles relaxing, airway of collapsing, unconsciously awakening with a gasp-is the reason there is never a restful night of sleep. The lack of oxygen puts extra stress on the entire body, especially the heart.
Sleep Disorders are far more common, and far more serious, than most people realize:
● It is estimated that over 40 million Americans suffer from sleep disorders.
● Most patients, at least 80%, with sleep disorders go undiagnosed and untreated.
● Untreated sleep disorders contribute to severe health problems including high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, sudden fatal heart attack, impotence, depression, stroke, diabetes complications, and many more.
● Sleep disorders can affect the entire family by disrupting everybody’s sleep.
● Snoring is more than annoying – it is a major indicator of the more serious sleep breathing problem of Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
The good news is that there is a new alternative to wearing a breathing mask (CPAP), or having complicated surgery, to treat your nighttime breathing problems.
● Do you miss sleeping with your spouse or significant other?
● Is someone in your family forced to sleep on the sofa or another room because of loud snoring?
● Are you tired of not getting a restful night’s sleep?
● Do you have unresolved medical conditions due to lack of healthy sleep?
● Is someone’s snoring ruining your good sleep? Night after night?
● Are you or a family member frustrated with struggling to wear a CPAP for sleep apnea?
● Have you experienced waking up gasping for air, or feeling like you have been choking while asleep?
● Does your partner say you stop breathing when you are asleep?
If you answered “Yes” to any of these questions, you or a family member may be one of the more than 20 million Americans who is not getting a good night's sleep due to Sleep Apnea, Snoring, or other Sleep Disorder problems.
The best treatment for you…
The best treatment option for you is the one that you will wear all night every night.
A custom-made adjustable appliance is worn while sleeping. The trays of the appliance, which look like teeth whitening trays snap over the upper and lower teeth and hook together. The design is based on the same principle as cardiopulmonary resuscitation, CPR. The airway must be opened to allow air to pass through the throat.
The appliance holds the lower jaw in a forward position so that it does not shift or fall open during the night. This prevents the airway from collapsing. The more you pull your jaw forward, the more your airway will open.
The appliance is the only mandibular advancement device that can be adjusted easily while in the mouth. This feature allows the patient to be in control of their treatment.
Most patients experience relief the first night they wear their appliance. It usually takes about a week to get used to wearing the appliance. Nine in 10 patients wear the appliance all night every night.
If you, a family member, or friend has some or all of these symptoms, come see Dr. Farber!
