Sleep apnea is a common
disorder in which you have one or more pauses in breathing while you sleep.[1]
Oftentimes, the pauses can last from a few seconds to minutes. This can happen
30 times or more an hour. As it happens, and breathing restarts, a loud snort
or choking sound can be heard. It is during this period that you actually move
from a deep, comfortable sleep to a light, poor sleep.
Imagine being woken up 30 times or more an hour. You may not
be completely woken up, but shaken to the point to where your body is no longer
in that deep sleep. This is similar to what takes place with those affected
with sleep apnea. It’s no wonder why sleep apnea is a leading cause of
excessive daytime sleepiness.
It was commonly held that if you were not overweight, there
was no real risk factor for sleep apnea. Although it is more frequent among men
than among women,[2]
sleep apnea can affect anyone. Whether you’re thin or thick, if you have the
symptoms of sleep apnea (excessive snoring, daytime tiredness), you should
consult with a physician for a possible work-up (sleep study) and solution.
Untreated sleep apnea can increase the risk of:
- High blood pressure
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Driving accidents
- Memory loss
CPAP devices are the most effective in treating sleep apnea.
But its size and volume can often be viewed as too invasive. There is another
solution aside from CPAP or surgery: Oral Appliance.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has endorsed the use of an Oral Appliance for selected patients with sleep
apnea. They typically look like the mouth guards worn by athletes. It works by
positioning the lower jaw slightly forward to its usual rest position. This
allows for air to freely pass from the upper airway to the lower airway without
resistance. These appliances cannot be purchased over the counter. Fortunately,
most insurance plans cover the cost.
If you are a respiratory therapist, you should brush up on
the various risk factors and treatment options with regard to sleep apnea. There
are many risk factors and CPAP is not the only option. If you think you or
anyone you know may have sleep apnea, follow up with a physician and ask about
the oral appliance option.
