Sleep Apnea Symptoms: Sleepless Nights, Tired Days
Sleep apnea symptoms are often hard to see yourself, but easy for other people to diagnose. Have you ever slept in the same room as someone who snores and skips breaths at night? Well, those are clear symptoms of sleep apnea. These pauses can last longer than 10 seconds, and it can frighten others to hear someone stop breathing. The sufferer is usually unaware of it.
Snoring is the biggest giveaway when it comes to diagnosing sleep apnea. Someone who snores doesn't necessarily have sleep apnea, but someone who has obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) will almost certainly snore. OSA means that the airways through which you breathe can become obstructed. If they're partly obstructed, you'll snore.
If the airway becomes totally obstructed, you'll momentarily stop breathing. (An apnea is defined as stopping breathing for 10 seconds or more.) Apneas are not just a sleep apnea symptom; they are the very definition of the sleep disorder.
But the effects of sleep apnea don't just happen at night. Since you're not getting the restful sleep that you need, you'll probably feel daytime fatigue and sleepiness, possibly accompanied by grouchiness or depression. This leaves you more vulnerable to additional health problems. Be sure to discuss your symptoms with your doctor or dentist.
+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.
Oral Appliance Therapy for Snoring and Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea appliances are another way your sleep apnea dentist can help you sleep soundly. Worn while you sleep, oral appliances like CPAP masks can hold your mouth and jaw in such a way that makes breathing easier and will stop snoring. A sleep apnea oral appliance fits into your mouth like a mouth guard, night guard or orthodontic retainer.
Oral appliance therapy is a popular alternative to CPAP treatment. There are many options, and your dentist can help you choose which sleep apnea appliance will be best for your obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
One sleep apnea remedy is the mandibular advancement system (MAS), also known as a mandibular advancement device (MAD). This oral splint is a dental appliance that moves the lower jaw slightly forward, which can effectively treat sleep apnea and also provide snoring prevention.
There are many other types of sleep apnea equipment. Generally, oral appliances for snoring and sleep apnea are made of soft plastic or hard acrylic. Some incorporate wires or rubber bands to provide the right sort of pressure. Almost all of them require a prescription and a professional fitting by your dental sleep medicine dentist or sleep apnea physician. If a dental appliance doesn't fit properly, it can lead to orthodontic problems and trouble breathing.
+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.