Risk Factors of OSA

Obstructive Sleep Apnea, the blockage of air to the lungs, is considered a health risk because lack of air flow into the lungs means lack of oxygen to the heart, brain, organs and the body in general. This results in several health problems, such as:

  • High Blood Pressure
  • Heart Attack
  • Stroke
  • Diabetes
  • Decreased quality of life
  • Increased risk of automobile accidents (falling asleep while driving)
  • Bruxisum (grinding of teeth resulting in wear)

Patients who suspect that they may suffer from sleep apnea are welcome to discuss their questions with either Dr. Craig Reading or Dr. Randy Bird, who are familiar with the oral indications of OSA.  If symptoms are significant they will refer their patients to a board certified sleep center for a sleep study and complete diagnosis of OSA.  Sleep Apnea can only be diagnosed by a physician.  

 

Dr. Reading and Dr. Bird are trained to treat mild to moderate sleep apnea (OSA) and snoring using a specialized oral appliance which is used to reposition the lower jaw, preventing the soft tissue blockage that causes symptoms.  The appliance holds the lower jaw slightly forward and open during sleep, preventing the tongue and soft tissues from relaxing back into the throat and creating the obstruction. Patients who have tried to use a C-PAP machine and found compliance difficult often find relief and improvement with oral appliance therapy.  In many cases of mild to moderate OSA, oral appliances are recommended as a first line treatment because they are non-invasive, easy to tolerate and extremely effective against snoring. 

 

Once diagnosed, OSA can be treated by several ways. Severe sleep apnea is often treated surgically.  For mild to moderate sleep apnea and snoring, treatment may include positive airway pressure (C-PAP), oral appliance therapy and lifestyle changes including weight loss, smoking cessation, discontinuing the use of alcohol, medication changes and a diet and exercise program.  

 

Affects Children Also

Sleep apnea also affects children. Usually this is due to the child having large tonsils that obstruct the airway; just like in adults, often snoring is a sign of an obstructed airway. Some of the problems common in children that have been linked to sleep apnea include:

  • Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
  • Mood disorders
  • Bed wetting
  • Problems learning
  • Growth problems

 

Dr. Randy Bird is a member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine and trained to treat mild to moderate OSA and snoring using custom made oral appliances. For the best results and for patient safety, it is important to use an appliance which was made especially for your mouth.  There are several products on the market which use a similar premise for the treatment of OSA, however custom fitting is the only technique clinically proven and accepted by the FDA to produce the best results.  Non-surgical treatment of OSA may not be the answer for every patient.  It is important to determine the severity of your sleep apnea and discuss your treatment options with a qualified practitioner, such as Dr. Bird before deterring any treatment.

 

To take an Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) self-test, click here.