Sleep disorders, including sleep apnea, have become a significant health issue in the United States. It is estimated that 22 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea, with 80 percent of the cases of moderate and severe obstructive sleep apnea undiagnosed.
Sleep apnea is a chronic condition during which the tongue and soft palate collapse while sleeping, causing breathing to stop or decrease for brief periods throughout the night. When this occurs, the brain and body are temporarily deprived of oxygen until breathing starts again. The lack of oxygen caused by sleep apnea is a serious health condition that, left untreated, can lead to problems like hypertension, diabetes, stroke, weight gain, dementia and even sudden death.
Untreated sleep apnea is associated with many signs and symptoms including:
Nighttime Symptoms
- Loud persistent snoring
- Witnessed pauses in breathing
- Choking or gasping for air during sleep
- Restless sleep
- Frequent visits to the bathroom
Daytime Symptoms
- Early morning headaches
- Excessive daytime fatigue
- Poor concentration
- Depression or irritability
- Sleepiness during routine activities
A CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) device is considered the gold standard for treating sleep apnea. It’s typically the first-line of treatment that is tried and if you can tolerate it, you can continue using it indefinitely. However, up to 50 percent of all patients don’t tolerate the CPAP, because they can’t get used to sleeping with it. Alternative options are available, and Dr. Patti can help if you are part of the 50 percent that is not tolerating CPAP. In conjunction with your sleep specialist, an oral sleep appliance can be custom fabricated to gently push the lower jaw, tongue and soft palate forward, clearing the airway for improved airflow. Our approach goes beyond making one-sizefits-all appliances, and draws upon our experience with myofunctional therapy, orthotropics (facial growth guidance), airway orthodontics, and airway prosthodontics.
The options we have for you are meant to address the causes of the problems, and they are sometimes a bit “outside- the-box” and unique. Sleep apnea also affects children. While snoring is a definite warning sign for children, it’s important to note that children with sleep apnea often do NOT snore or exhibit daytime sleepiness. On the contrary, children with sleep breathing disorders are often hyperactive during the day and lack focus, leading to a misdiagnosis of ADHD.
If you or your child is suffering with poor sleep, snoring or a CPAP, please call the office for more information. Dr. Patti is here to help find the right solution for you. We will work with your medical insurance in the same way a physician does for your CPAP device. Please do not hesitate. Much more than a good night’s sleep is at risk. Untreated sleep apnea shortens life expectancy by 20%. Warning signs should be taken seriously.
