Improved Quality of Life, Every Day
Sleep apnea and its primary symptom, loud snoring, cause sleep deprivation for both the snorer and his or her bedmate. In turn, lack of REM and deep sleep stages night after night lead to a host of symptoms, ranging from poor work performance to a greater risk of automobile accidents.
Not only that, but sleep deprivation can contribute to systemic health issues and put patients at a higher risk for cardiovascular issues, depression, anxiety, chronic pain, and much more.
Not everyone who snores has sleep apnea, but both snoring and sleep apnea can cause sleep deprivation, and often snoring is an indicator of sleep disordered breathing or airway issues, which can be sleep apnea, upper airway resistance syndrome, and other disturbances.
Dr. FischerHahm and our teams offer NightLase and SnoreLase, as well as Vivos for snoring and sleep apnea treatment.
Differences Between Snoring and Sleep Apnea
Snoring: snorting or grunting sounds made while sleeping, caused by vibration of soft tissues in the mouth and throat as breath is inhaled and exhaled
Sleep Apnea: a condition in which breathing completely stops for 10 seconds to two minutes or longer while a person is asleep; apneic episodes occur as infrequently as twice per night and as often as 100s of times during one sleep session; there are three types of sleep apnea: obstructive, central, and complex
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when soft tissues of the mouth and throat block airflow. Central sleep apnea has to do with cognitive issues, and complex sleep apnea is caused by both obstructive and central sleep apnea.
According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of sleep apnea include but are not limited to:
- Loud snoring
- Apneic episodes
- Waking abruptly while gasping or choking
- Frequent nighttime urination
- Morning headaches or migraines
- Morning dry mouth
- Insomnia
- Hypersomnia (acute daytime drowsiness)
- Inability to focus the mind
- Memory loss
- Irritability
- Poor performance at work
- Fatigue
- Falling asleep at times of low activity
- Impotence
Health risks of untreated sleep apnea include:
- Cardiovascular disease, hypertension, heart palpitations, and heart attack
- Stroke
- Metabolic disease
- Systemic inflammation
- Accidents operating vehicles or machinery
- Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease
- Memory impairment
- Weight gain
- Anxiety and depression
- Allergies
- Lifespan shortage of 12-15 years
- Death
John Hopkins University reports that people of normal weight face a 3% chance of developing sleep apnea, while the obese population have a 20% risk. In addition, men are more prone to sleep apnea than women, but after menopause, the risk to women significantly increases, which is why Dr. FischerHahm has devised women-specific screening and treatment protocols as well.
Symptoms of Sleep Deprivation
Both snoring and sleep apnea lead to sleep deprivation. Generally, adults should sleep for seven or eight hours per night. Sleep has stages, and the most important stage for your body is deep sleep. The most important stage to your brain health is the REM, or rapid eye movement, stage. The stages of sleep progress in a cycle: non-REM 1, 2, and 3 (deep sleep), and REM.
During deep sleep, heart rate and breathing slow down, eyes don’t move, and the body enters a deep state of relaxation. The immune system strengthens, cells regenerate, and tissue repair and growth occur.
During REM sleep, the brain is extremely active. Blood pressure increases, breathing quickens, and your eyes move rapidly behind closed lids. Most dreams take place during REM sleep. Arm and leg muscles are temporarily paralyzed to keep you from moving during this sleep stage.
Treatment for Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, is the most common type of sleep apnea. Treatment for both OSA and snoring may be accomplished with these therapies:
- CPAP: The continuous positive airway pressure machine, or CPAP, features a central unit that forces air through a tube. The tube connects to the patient by way of a facemask. CPAPs force air into the airway to keep soft tissues from interfering with breathing.
- Mandibular Repositioning Oral Appliance: Custom made and well designed oral appliances worn while sleeping hold the lower jaw in a forward position to keep the airway open. Furthermore, they can help stabilize the TMJ and reduce or even eliminate nocturnal grinding.
- Vivos therapeutics: this treatment focuses on reshaping the upper arch to improve airflow. Vivos is worn nightly for 12 to 24 months, and many patients enjoy lasting results after completing treatment.
- Laser Therapy: These therapies are conducted with the Fotona laser in our office. They reduce obstructions caused by the soft tissues in the back of our mouths. These tissues can become weak and droopy over time, or due to improper growth as a child, and can block airflow.
Call Now for a Snoring Cessation or Sleep Apnea Consultation
If you suffer from any symptoms mentioned in this article, Call Napa Family Dental at 505.323.7700 or Rio Rancho Smiles at Call: 505.994.9693 and schedule a consultation with Dr. FischerHahm. After diagnosis of your condition, we will consult with you to explain the results of your tests and treatment options. Life will seem brighter if you can regularly achieve deep and REM sleep.