What is Sleep Apnea?
One out of every three Americans experience some form of sleep disorder. These disorders can include insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), narcolepsy, circadian rhythm disorders, parasomnias, sleepwalking, sleep terrors, sleep-related movement disorders, snoring, and more. It is estimated that 87 million people snore, with over half of them having OSA.
OSA is determined by the number of times a person stops breathing or experiences reduced airflow during sleep, known as the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI). An AHI of less than five occurrences per hour is classified as mild sleep apnea, while an AHI of six to fifteen times is considered chronic sleep apnea.
For more information, you can access the Sleep Evaluation and History Form (PDF) by clicking here.
What Are The Risks of Sleep Apnea?
Below are potential medical conditions associated with OSA:
- Cardiovascular: Increased risk of systemic hypertension, medication resistant hypertension, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease and heart attack.
- Brain: Stroke, brain damage, cognitive dysfunction and headaches.
- Metabolic: Diabetes, glucose intolerance and obesity
- Systemic: GERD, depression, impotence and psychosocial
- Death
* Diseases with over an 85% association with OSA
What Are The Symptoms of Sleep Apnea?
The following list are some common symptoms associated with OSA:
- excessive daytime sleepiness
- poor memory
- clouded intellect
- decreased performance
- depression
- accident prone
- increased appetite
- exercise intolerance
Am I a Candidate for Sleep Apnea Treatment?
OSA may be caused by enlarged tonsils/adenoids, a large tongue, or relaxed throat muscles. Treatment options include surgery, CPAP machines, or oral appliances. A sleep study is needed for diagnosis, and a specialist like an ENT, Pulmonologist, or Neurologist will recommend the best treatment. If you can't use a CPAP machine, a custom mouth appliance may be a good alternative. Consult your physician for options, and with a prescription, your insurance may cover the appliance. The oral appliance is comfortable, compact, and convenient for travel.
