Monday, February 24, 2014

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.

The majority of sufferers are obese and often have other serious health issues. The soft tissues of the airways collapse when the person reclines, which can be helped by elevating the upper body during repose or sleeping on the side rather than the back. Losing weight is very important in addressing this problem, and stopping smoking and eliminating alcohol are also helpful.

This abnormality often also complicates heart problems, chronic pain treatment, and other serious illnesses. Different parts of the brain are affected, studies show. People with this condition may have memory loss, difficulty in concentration, and problems with performing tasks required by their jobs.

Oral devices which were designed to alleviate snoring advance the lower jaw, which keeps upper airways open. The mouthpieces are FDA-approved for sleep disorder use. Quality ones will be made of medical-grade materials or plastics that are latex and BPA-free. There is a lot of information online; people who suspect they may have this disorder should check out some of the sites to learn more about their condition and options.

It is usually other people in the household who alert sufferers to their problem, because those afflicted are unaware that they have irregular breathing patterns. For those who live with such a person, the snoring is annoying but the interruptions to breathing are frightening. A definitive diagnosis can be made at a clinic which monitors sleeping behavior during one or more nights spent under observation.

Dental appliances for sleep apnea can be found online under the name of this disorder and also under 'help with snoring'. Not getting enough sleep is a problem in its own right, but it worsens other conditions as well. Those who suspect they suffer from this disorder should seek medical help. The use of a mouthpiece is often the first step in treatment. Lifestyle changes will make any health restoring program more effective.




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