DID YOU KNOW…?
Snoring during sleep can be dangerous. It mainly occurs when the lower jaw is very small or retruded and tongue tends to fall back creating an obstruction or narrowing in airway, resulting in the breath being temporarily stopped. In most cases, the person is unaware of the same, and awaken immediately and gasp for breath, but sometimes the blockage in the airway is very mild or minimal causing continuous but slow and shallow breath, where the throat vibrates and result in noisy snoring, which will affect the sleep quality of the bed partner.
Spouses and partner will also suffer with sleeplessness and fatigue which can in turndisturb relationships.
A proper diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea can help eliminate there problem.
WHO ARE AT RISK OF SLEEP APNEA?
Obstructive sleep apnea may be seen in people suffering with
-Obesity
-Life style issues (Excessive working hours or night shifts)
-Micrognathic (smaller lower jaw)
-Narrow upper jaw
-Enlarged tonsils and Adenoids
-Macroglossia (large tongue)
-Large soft palate
-Smoking and Alcohol abuse
-Diabetic
-Medications (Tranquilizers, Sleeping pills, Antihistamine, Beta blockers)
These patients have a high risk to develop heart failures and coronary heart disease and disorders.
HOW TO DIAGNOSE?
People affected with sleep apnea suffer with sleepiness in job places, while driving, lack of energy during the day, morning headache, spouses observing snoring, thrashing or gasping for breath during sleep, irritability, behavioural issues. Polysomnography or sleep study is recommended for people suffering with these issues, which is an accurate diagnostic measure.
HOW TO TREAT SLEEP APNEA?
Once obstructive sleep apnea is diagnoses, recommendations are make to improve the lifestyle, by incorporating upright position during sleep, weight loss, quitting smoking, avoiding alcohol and sedatives prior to sleep.
Apart from these, severe cases of sleep apnea will require the use of a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airflow Pressure) device to provide sufficient air pressure to prevent the airway tissues from collapsing during sleep. In mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea a dental mandible repositioning device is given to improve the airway flow.
Surgical management can also be opted where there are anatomical factors contributing to sleep apnea like Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, laser assisted Uvulopalatoplasty, maxillo-mandibular advancement, removal of adenoids and tonsils.
A timely diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea can benefit the person suffering from it by improving their quality of life and avoiding risk of cardiovascular diseases.
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