Best Sleep Apnea Treatments.com

Have you ever noticed how often snoring is used to get a laugh on TV sitcoms and cartoons? Actually, thereâ??s nothing funny about it. Snoring is a serious medical and social problem that can cause social ridicule, sleeplessness, and a host of serious health problems including obstructive sleep apnea. 25% of adults snore habitually. And without treatment, it doesnâ??t get any better. While overweight males are at the greatest risk, women are not immune, and the problem only grows worse as we age.

Why Do We Snore?

Snoring occurs when the passages at the back of the mouth and nose do not have a free flow of air. This is called â??obstructionâ?? and usually occurs when the soft tissues in that area collapse during sleep, causing the tongue to meet briefly with the soft palate (top part of your mouth in the back) and the uvula (the â??bellâ?? in the back of your throat). The vibrations are what cause the snoring sound.

Snorers may also suffer from:

· Poor oral muscle tone. Relaxed tongue and throat muscles can cut off airflow. Deep sleep, alcohol and sleep medications can contribute to poor muscle tone.

· Large tonsils and adenoids. Excess throat tissue can cause snoring. This is why children sometimes snore. Being overweight can cause excess neck tissue, which is why snoring is more common in overweight individuals. Rarely, a cyst or tumors can be the problem.

· Long uvula and/or soft palate. Individuals with a â??long palateâ?? have a narrower opening between the nose and throat that can create noise during the relaxed breathing of deep sleep. A longer than normal uvula worsens the situation.

· Nasal airway obstruction. Stuffy noses do not have a free flow of air. The extra effort it takes to breathe through a stuffed up nose creates a strong pull on floppy throat tissues, causing a snoring sound. That is why some people experience snoring only during hay fever attacks, a cold or a sinus infection.

· Nose or nasal septum deformities, such as a deviated septum, can cause obstruction.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

Obstructive sleep apnea often begins with snoring, but can be far more serious. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when snoring is punctuated by long absences of sound lasting ten seconds or more that can happen up to 300 times per night. This lack of sound means the individual is not breathing in between bursts of snoring. Health risks are great and include low blood oxygen levels that make the heart work much harder to bring oxygen to the blood.

Individuals affected with sleep apnea sleep lightly and cannot relax deeply enough to allow sufficient airflow to the lungs. The snorer is left with night after night of poor rest, as well as:

· Daytime sleepiness

· Increased mood swings

· Depression

· Impaired job performance

· Hazardous driving, especially if the individual operates heavy equipment

· Elevated blood pressure

· Enlargement of the heart

Have you ever noticed how often snoring is used to get a laugh on TV sitcoms and cartoons? Actually, thereâ??s nothing funny about it. Snoring is a serious medical and social problem that can cause social ridicule, sleeplessness, and a host of serious health problems including obstructive sleep apnea. 25% of adults snore habitually. And without treatment, it doesnâ??t get any better. While overweight males are at the greatest risk, women are not immune, and the problem only grows worse as we age.

Why Do We Snore?

Snoring occurs when the passages at the back of the mouth and nose do not have a free flow of air. This is called â??obstructionâ?? and usually occurs when the soft tissues in that area collapse during sleep, causing the tongue to meet briefly with the soft palate (top part of your mouth in the back) and the uvula (the â??bellâ?? in the back of your throat). The vibrations are what cause the snoring sound.

Snorers may also suffer from:

· Poor oral muscle tone. Relaxed tongue and throat muscles can cut off airflow. Deep sleep, alcohol and sleep medications can contribute to poor muscle tone.

· Large tonsils and adenoids. Excess throat tissue can cause snoring. This is why children sometimes snore. Being overweight can cause excess neck tissue, which is why snoring is more common in overweight individuals. Rarely, a cyst or tumors can be the problem.

· Long uvula and/or soft palate. Individuals with a â??long palateâ?? have a narrower opening between the nose and throat that can create noise during the relaxed breathing of deep sleep. A longer than normal uvula worsens the situation.

· Nasal airway obstruction. Stuffy noses do not have a free flow of air. The extra effort it takes to breathe through a stuffed up nose creates a strong pull on floppy throat tissues, causing a snoring sound. That is why some people experience snoring only during hay fever attacks, a cold or a sinus infection.

· Nose or nasal septum deformities, such as a deviated septum, can cause obstruction.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

Obstructive sleep apnea often begins with snoring, but can be far more serious. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when snoring is punctuated by long absences of sound lasting ten seconds or more that can happen up to 300 times per night. This lack of sound means the individual is not breathing in between bursts of snoring. Health risks are great and include low blood oxygen levels that make the heart work much harder to bring oxygen to the blood.

Individuals affected with sleep apnea sleep lightly and cannot relax deeply enough to allow sufficient airflow to the lungs. The snorer is left with night after night of poor rest, as well as:

· Daytime sleepiness

· Increased mood swings

· Depression

· Impaired job performance

· Hazardous driving, especially if the individual operates heavy equipment

· Elevated blood pressure

· Enlargement of the heart

Snoring can be more than annoying to your bed partner. It can mean you have a serious health problem. This is because snoring may be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Millions of Americans suffer from OSA, and millions of people who snore – and those who share their bed – seek out over-the-counter medications to alleviate this problem. The problem is rarely fixed, and the suffering continues. One thing those who have OSA or snore can do is to see a dentist who can provide relief. Dental sleep medicine may be the best way to help end snoring and the dangers of OSA.

Oral Appliance Therapy

You have probably seen oral appliance devices sold in the store or advertised in magazines and on TV that promise relief from snoring. They may have the basic concept down: Put this mouth guard in and your snoring will end. However, the problem is that these are usually one-size-fits-all, and may increase the chance for damage to your teeth or jaw. An effective oral appliance is custom-made so that it can address your individual needs, and fit comfortably. Custom-made oral appliances can help when you sleep by:

· Holding the tongue in position

· Pushing the jaw forward

· Tightening the soft tissue to keep your airway open

· Increasing muscle tone

Behavioral Therapy

Many people who snore or have OSA may find their symptoms alleviated by simply changing aspects of their life. People who drink alcohol regularly can cut down on the amount they drink or avoid drinking three hours prior to bedtime. People who smoke can, and should, stop. The effects of smoke on the throat and lungs create problems that can worsen snoring or sleep apnea. Individuals who are overweight or obese often suffer the most severe cases of OSA or snoring. By losing weight, the occurrence of breathing difficulties is reduced. Other behavioral modifications that will help include:

· Avoiding eating heavy meals close to bedtime

· Going to bed at a reasonable hour

· Avoiding antihistamines close to bedtime

· Reducing allergens in the home

Medication

Over-the-counter medications may target those who have trouble falling asleep, but not those who snore or have OSA. Dental sleep medicine targets these issues by prescribing supplements such as anti-snoring pills to be taken before bed. These pills contain different herbs and plant enzymes that reduce congestion and swelling of the tissue in the nose and throat. There are also certain nasal sprays or nose drops that may be beneficial.

Due to the dangerous health problems, such as heart attack or stroke that can arise from OSA you should see a specialist with dental sleep medicine experience.

If your sleep patterns have been disrupted by snoring or believe you may have obstructive sleep apnea, please contact Dr. Ira L. Shapira or visit ihatecpap.com to schedule an initial consultation.

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With researchers and doctors coming across to different types of sleep disorders every now or then, Sleep Apnea is another common form adding to their worries. This particular type of sleep disorder is characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep. Each breathe lasts long enough that one or more breath are missed each time. This habit of improper breathing is diagnosed by an overnight sleep test called polysomnogram.

Doctors describe the clinically significant levels of sleep apnea in five or more episodes per hour. As far as studies are concerned, three distinct forms of sleep apnea have been found. These include: central, obstructive and complex apnea. Each form of disorder emerges due to different reasons. Breathing is interrupted by lack of respiratory effort in case of central sleep apnea. Whereas, breathing faces a physical block of air flow in obstructive apnea. There is a transition from central to obstructive features during different events in complex sleep apnea.

Symptoms of this particular kind of problem may be present in an individual for years without any sort of identification. Sufferer might feel day time sleepiness and fatigue because of the problem.

Researchers have come out with effective treatments for the common apnea disorder. Use of a continuous positive airway pressure device during sleep pressurizes the air flow into the throat. Apart from this, in severe cases NIPPY machines are also used to provide treatment to the patient.

With the belief of thousands in using the natural way to prevent the sleep apnea problem, different positions of sleeping are also invented that will lesser the chances of getting affected. One of the most common problem is sleeping in lateral position that is beneficial for people suffering from central sleep apnea.

Another common practice is learning and applying didgeridoo that reduces the snoring, sleep apnea and daytime sleepiness problem. As far as health is concerned, many people have become aware of these common sleep disorders that might land up in troubling a lot. Different physical exercises are made to relieve the sufferers and let the lead a healthy life.

Sleep apnea and one of its most common treatment options, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure or CPAP, contain an array of questions and answers for those with obstructive sleep apnea. This provides you with an overview and helps you find further information.

What is sleep apnea?

During sleep, some peoples’ breathing briefly stops many times throughout the night. Obstructive sleep apnea is caused by the soft tissue at the back of the throat collapsing and blocking the airway. Central sleep apnea occurs when air cannot flow into or out of the person’s nose or mouth through efforts to resume breathing because of confused signals from the brain to the diaphragm.

What causes sleep apnea?

Mechanical and structural problems in the airway interrupt breathing during sleep. The throat muscles and tongue relax too much during sleep, blocking the airway.

Am I at risk for sleep apnea?

This can affect anyone, however, it’s more prevalent in men. Loud snoring, weight problems and high blood pressure are risk signs. If you never feel rested, suffer from being overweight, smoke, or notice behavioral changes, such as depression, see an experienced sleep apnea specialist. Snoring is also a sign of sleep apnea, but isn’t the only indicator.

Does obstructive sleep apnea require surgery?

Oral appliance therapy is an alternative to surgery. Therapeutically, they reposition the lower jaw and tongue to reduce apneic occurrences.

If I use a CPAP do I still need surgery?

By correctly adhering to treatment, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, or CPAP, can be very successful. However, studies also show only 23-45% of patients attain success. CPAP is a commitment, those who think they can’t devote themselves to the program should look into oral appliance therapy. Surgery is a last resort.

For many, CPAP is uncomfortable. Less cumbersome methods use simpler mouthpieces that properly align the jaw for safer sleep. These mouthpieces resemble sports mouth guards and helps patients breathe through the nose and mouth. If CPAP is uncomfortable, look into the alternate treatment options.

Why should I seek treatment for sleep apnea?

Quality sleep is essential to wellness. Sleep apnea creates lack of energy, inhibits concentration and slows metabolism. Even worse, lost sleep increases chances for high blood pressure and heart attacks.

Snoring may seem like a mere annoyance to most people. But sometimes, snoring is a symptom of sleep apnea, a serious medical condition that affects over 20 million Americans and drastically reduces their quality of life. In extreme cases, it can lead to death.

The word “apnea” is derived from a Greek word that means “want of breath.” In order to be diagnosed with sleep apnea, one must experience stoppage of breathing for a period of at least ten seconds more than five times in one hour. All of this counteracts the healing, restorative effects that nourishing deep sleep is meant to provide. Sleep is critical to health, just as important as a healthy diet and physical activity.

If it goes untreated for lengths of time, obstructive sleep apnea leads to hypertension, strokes, muscle pain, heart attacks, morning headaches and excessive daytime drowsiness. Many who have mild sleep apnea know that they snore while they sleep. At the same time, they may not link this and their daytime fatigue to the potentially life-threatening larger problems that could eventually make themselves known.

Symptoms

Sleep apnea makes its presence known in a variety of ways. And with the wide array of symptoms, different people may experience widely different combinations of the following:

If you notice you’re experiencing any of these, please keep in mind that they could be indicators of sleep apnea. Ignoring them could potentially result in major health risks, not to mention the diminished day-to-day concentration, which affects things like your job and being an active member of society. One potentially disastrous after-effect to keep in mind is experiencing drowsiness while driving, too. In children, academic underachievement and substandard mental development have been linked to sleep apnea.

Many studies on sleep patterns have been done throughout the years. Sleep experts say we need between six and eight hours of sleep to feel rested and function at our best during the day. For some, this simply means going to bed at a reasonable time. However, there are people who cannot feel rested no matter what time they go to bed because they snore, share the bed with someone who snores, or suffer from sleep apnea. Losing an hour or more of sleep a night because of snoring can add up over time. In the case of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the consequences can affect the health of the individual.

OSA is a condition in which an individual stops breathing due to their airway collapsing during sleep and blocking their breathing for up to ten seconds each time. When the OSA is serious, this cessation can occur more than 30 times an hour. These cessations in breathing cause the blood oxygen levels to decrease dramatically. Lower oxygen levels in the blood raise the threat of heart attack, high blood pressure and stroke.

Causes of Sleep Apnea and Snoring

As we sleep, our muscles are relaxed. When the tongue and throat muscles relax, they can block the airway. A partial collapse of the airway results in the sound we call snoring. A complete collapse of the airway cuts off breathing and results in an apneic event. When this happens, you will wake up and begin breathing again because your muscles are no longer relaxed. This may happen as little as five times every hour, or as many as 30 or more times an hour. Obviously, your sleep pattern is going to be affected.

People who are obese, smoke, or consume alcohol have a higher chance of snoring and a greater risk of OSA. Men are more likely to suffer from OSA than women are.

Oral Appliances

If you suffer from snoring or have been diagnosed by a sleep apnea specialist, you may find treatment through oral appliance therapy. Oral appliances are custom-fitted for each patient to minimize the effects of snoring or sleep apnea in a variety of ways. By correcting the position of the jaw, or repositioning the jaw, the tongue and soft tissue will no longer interfere with your airway. One of the most effective oral appliances is the SomnoDent mandibular advancement splint (MAS), manufactured by SomnoMed.

SomnoDent MAS

The SomnoDent MAS is worn over the teeth, much like a sports mouth guard, as you sleep. It pushes the jaw forward from its natural position and, like other oral appliances, keeps the tongue in position and tightens the soft tissue to keep your airway open. Studies have shown that over 60% of patients who wear SomnoDent MAS experience a complete halt in OSA, and those who still have symptoms have a 50% decrease in the severity of their sleep apnea. Episodes of snoring decreased 43% in studies and lowered the volume of snoring (something your bed partner would probably be grateful for).

SomnoDent MAS features a patented â??fin-couplingâ? component which allows the wearer to speak and drink as they normally would.

If you suffer from snoring or believe you may have obstructive sleep apnea and are interested in finding out if SomnoDent MAS by SomnoMed is right for you, please contact Dr. Ira L. Shapira at the Snoring and Sleep Apnea Treatment Center for a free consultation.

Many studies on sleep patterns have been done throughout the years. Sleep experts say we need between six and eight hours of sleep to feel rested and function at our best during the day. For some, this simply means going to bed at a reasonable time. However, there are people who cannot feel rested no matter what time they go to bed because they snore, share the bed with someone who snores, or suffer from sleep apnea. Losing an hour or more of sleep a night because of snoring can add up over time. In the case of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the consequences can affect the health of the individual.

OSA is a condition in which an individual stops breathing due to their airway collapsing during sleep and blocking their breathing for up to ten seconds each time. When the OSA is serious, this cessation can occur more than 30 times an hour. These cessations in breathing cause the blood oxygen levels to decrease dramatically. Lower oxygen levels in the blood raise the threat of heart attack, high blood pressure and stroke.

Causes of Sleep Apnea and Snoring

As we sleep, our muscles are relaxed. When the tongue and throat muscles relax, they can block the airway. A partial collapse of the airway results in the sound we call snoring. A complete collapse of the airway cuts off breathing and results in an apneic event. When this happens, you will wake up and begin breathing again because your muscles are no longer relaxed. This may happen as little as five times every hour, or as many as 30 or more times an hour. Obviously, your sleep pattern is going to be affected.

People who are obese, smoke, or consume alcohol have a higher chance of snoring and a greater risk of OSA. Men are more likely to suffer from OSA than women are.

Oral Appliances

If you suffer from snoring or have been diagnosed by a sleep apnea specialist, you may find treatment through oral appliance therapy. Oral appliances are custom-fitted for each patient to minimize the effects of snoring or sleep apnea in a variety of ways. By correcting the position of the jaw, or repositioning the jaw, the tongue and soft tissue will no longer interfere with your airway. One of the most effective oral appliances is the SomnoDent mandibular advancement splint (MAS), manufactured by SomnoMed.

SomnoDent MAS

The SomnoDent MAS is worn over the teeth, much like a sports mouth guard, as you sleep. It pushes the jaw forward from its natural position and, like other oral appliances, keeps the tongue in position and tightens the soft tissue to keep your airway open. Studies have shown that over 60% of patients who wear SomnoDent MAS experience a complete halt in OSA, and those who still have symptoms have a 50% decrease in the severity of their sleep apnea. Episodes of snoring decreased 43% in studies and lowered the volume of snoring (something your bed partner would probably be grateful for).

SomnoDent MAS features a patented â??fin-couplingâ? component which allows the wearer to speak and drink as they normally would.

If you suffer from snoring or believe you may have obstructive sleep apnea and are interested in finding out if SomnoDent MAS by SomnoMed is right for you, please contact Dr. Ira L. Shapira at the Snoring and Sleep Apnea Treatment Center for a free consultation.

My Sleep Apnea Cure®How I permanently cured my Obstructive Sleep Apnea in 30 days without drugs, surgery, machines, pillows or appliances.If you’re reading this, you or someone you love is one of the estimated 18 million Americans who suffer from some form of sleep apnea, like I  did . The following is how I permanently cured my Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) in 30 days without the use of drugs, surgery, machines,  pillows or appliances.In January of 2001, on my regular annual visit to my family doctor, I mentioned my noticeable decrease in energy throughout the day. My doctor said, “Maybe you have sleep apnea.” I replied, “What’s sleep apnea?” He explained that sometimes people stop breathing while they sleep because of various obstructions in their throat and air passageways. The impediment in breathing results in a lack of oxygen, which leads to the body secreting adrenalin into the blood stream, which then leads to gasping for breath and an interruption in restful sleep. He explained that sleep apnea sufferers don’t fully wake up; the gasping for breath occurs just above the level of REM restful sleep but below the conscious level. Later at the University of California at San Diego  Medical  Center  I was tested for obstructive sleep apnea and told that I stopped breathing an average of 44 times per hour as I slept. No wonder I was tired all the time. I hadn’t slept soundly in years.Next came the really bad news. I was told nothing could be done to cure my OSA. There was no medication or surgical procedure that could guarantee a cure. I was prescribed a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machine, (CPAP), a medieval-looking, computerized air compressor and mask contraption and was told I had to wear it every night from then on, in essence, for the rest of my  life.  I   tried  sleeping  with  the  CPAP mask and compressor but I couldn’t because of the uncomfortable mask and the noise of the compressor.While continuing to suffer for years from sleep apnea I began experimenting with various exercises of my jaw and neck muscles, thinking that lack of muscle strength and tone could be the cause of my OSA. After a period of trial and error, I created six simple-to-do isometric exercises that strengthened specific muscles in my neck and jaw and believe it or not, I cured my sleep apnea! The six exercises took less than ten minutes total to do. I did them twice a day: when I woke up in the morning and before I retired in the evening. It took me less than 30 days of doing the exercises to completely cure my OSA. One of the first things I noticed was I was dreaming more. More REM sleep equals more dreams. Second, I was rested after six or seven hours of sleep, whereas before the exercises, I could barely get out of bed in the morning no matter how long I slept and I never felt rested.I did the six exercises very slowly; I didn’t rush them. My idea was to strengthen and increase the tone of the jaw and neck muscles used during each exercise. Each repetition took at least five seconds to accomplish. An easy way to estimate five seconds is to count: one Mississippi, two Mississippi, three Mississippi, four Mississippi, five Mississippi. Each Mississippi is equal to one second. The slower I did the exercises, the better my results. I rested for five to ten seconds between each repetition. I did each exercise for a total of five repetitions to begin with, working up to a maximum of ten repetitions for each exercise. The full six exercises took me about ten minutes to do. You can do the exercises while sitting, standing or lying down. They are isometric and non-aerobic.The six exercises cured my Obstructive Sleep Apnea. I have continued doing the exercises, just to ensure my cure is permanent. I feel sure my OSA was caused by my weakened jaw and throat muscles. If you have OSA like I did, these exercises are your permanent cure. They definitely were mine. You can learn more about my exercises at www.mysleepapneacure.com

Many studies on sleep patterns have been done throughout the years. Sleep experts say we need between six and eight hours of sleep to feel rested and function at our best during the day. For some, this simply means going to bed at a reasonable time. However, there are people who cannot feel rested no matter what time they go to bed because they snore, share the bed with someone who snores, or suffer from sleep apnea. Losing an hour or more of sleep a night because of snoring can add up over time. In the case of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the consequences can affect the health of the individual.

OSA is a condition in which an individual stops breathing due to their airway collapsing during sleep and blocking their breathing for up to ten seconds each time. When the OSA is serious, this cessation can occur more than 30 times an hour. These cessations in breathing cause the blood oxygen levels to decrease dramatically. Lower oxygen levels in the blood raise the threat of heart attack, high blood pressure and stroke.

Causes of Sleep Apnea and Snoring

As we sleep, our muscles are relaxed. When the tongue and throat muscles relax, they can block the airway. A partial collapse of the airway results in the sound we call snoring. A complete collapse of the airway cuts off breathing and results in an apneic event. When this happens, you will wake up and begin breathing again because your muscles are no longer relaxed. This may happen as little as five times every hour, or as many as 30 or more times an hour. Obviously, your sleep pattern is going to be affected.

People who are obese, smoke, or consume alcohol have a higher chance of snoring and a greater risk of OSA. Men are more likely to suffer from OSA than women are.

Oral Appliances

If you suffer from snoring or have been diagnosed by a sleep apnea specialist, you may find treatment through oral appliance therapy. Oral appliances are custom-fitted for each patient to minimize the effects of snoring or sleep apnea in a variety of ways. By correcting the position of the jaw, or repositioning the jaw, the tongue and soft tissue will no longer interfere with your airway. One of the most effective oral appliances is the SomnoDent mandibular advancement splint (MAS), manufactured by SomnoMed.

SomnoDent MAS

The SomnoDent MAS is worn over the teeth, much like a sports mouth guard, as you sleep. It pushes the jaw forward from its natural position and, like other oral appliances, keeps the tongue in position and tightens the soft tissue to keep your airway open. Studies have shown that over 60% of patients who wear SomnoDent MAS experience a complete halt in OSA, and those who still have symptoms have a 50% decrease in the severity of their sleep apnea. Episodes of snoring decreased 43% in studies and lowered the volume of snoring (something your bed partner would probably be grateful for).

SomnoDent MAS features a patented â??fin-couplingâ? component which allows the wearer to speak and drink as they normally would.

If you suffer from snoring or believe you may have obstructive sleep apnea and are interested in finding out if SomnoDent MAS by SomnoMed is right for you, please contact Dr. Ira L. Shapira at the Snoring and Sleep Apnea Treatment Center for a free consultation.