An often overlooked; yet, dangerous condition needing more attention is sleep apnea.
Interestingly enough, the very word 'apnea' means 'without breath'.
Even more intriguing is the word 'breath' means 'spirit; vitality; life' which leads to the idea that 'sleep apnea' actually means 'without life'.
How appropriate given the seriousness of the disorder.
There are three types: obstructive, central and mixed and no matter the actual cause, if left untreated, a person's ability to peacefully sleep through the night is interrupted as many as several hundred times all because they stop breathing for as long as a minute or longer.
Obstructive (OSA) is caused by a narrowing of the airway where the soft tissues relax and collapse just enough to close off the throat.
Central is a breakdown in communication between the brain and the body to actually breathe.
As for mixed, it's a combination of both obstructive and central.
In each case, the brain arouses a person with sleep apnea to wake up just enough to resume breathing.
Disturbingly, more than 12 million Americans are affected by this disorder; yet, refuse to seek help simply because he or she truly doesn't know it's happening.
Usually it takes the push of a sleep partner to get the necessary medical treatment.
If left untreated, the person is risking high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, memory problems, weight gain, impotency, job impairment, and a higher probability of being involved in a car accident.
In fact, people with this condition have a greater risk of death than the rest of the population and therefore, it can no longer be a joking matter.
When patients visit their dental office, his or her health is reviewed during the exam.
If snoring (because there's enough evidence to show snoring is as equally disruptive) or sleep apnea is not discussed, the patient could be in jeopardy of bigger problems.
In the event the patient is unaware or doesn't 'see' the need to talk about it, it's up to the practitioner to investigate the following warning signs in addition to the usual review: 1) Xerostomia (dry mouth) ~ which could be being caused by current medications 2) Morning headaches 3) Impaired concentration 4) Depression 5) Irritability 6) Excessive sleepiness Given there is a combination of any of the mentioned symptoms warrants additional discussion about the possibility of preventive treatment which can be surgical as well as non-surgical; and, whether or not the dentist is involved with the therapy, it is important for him or her to know of the potential for occlusal changes.
Additionally, scientists are currently looking for the link between heart disease and sleep apnea.
With the studies 'we' have on the conditions attributed to living with Xerostomia, it stands to reason that this condition (a physical disorder) causes dry mouth leading to gum disease which is directly linked to cardiovascular disease.
The connection is there and it's now time to take the discussion beyond 'our' morning coffee.
Each night, millions of men (primarily over 40) and women (after menopause) engage in a life and death struggle for sleep.
Sleep apnea is a major public health issue that can be addressed in the dental chair; and, like good nutrition and regular exercise, sleep is necessary for maintaining a healthy life.
Interestingly enough, the very word 'apnea' means 'without breath'.
Even more intriguing is the word 'breath' means 'spirit; vitality; life' which leads to the idea that 'sleep apnea' actually means 'without life'.
How appropriate given the seriousness of the disorder.
There are three types: obstructive, central and mixed and no matter the actual cause, if left untreated, a person's ability to peacefully sleep through the night is interrupted as many as several hundred times all because they stop breathing for as long as a minute or longer.
Obstructive (OSA) is caused by a narrowing of the airway where the soft tissues relax and collapse just enough to close off the throat.
Central is a breakdown in communication between the brain and the body to actually breathe.
As for mixed, it's a combination of both obstructive and central.
In each case, the brain arouses a person with sleep apnea to wake up just enough to resume breathing.
Disturbingly, more than 12 million Americans are affected by this disorder; yet, refuse to seek help simply because he or she truly doesn't know it's happening.
Usually it takes the push of a sleep partner to get the necessary medical treatment.
If left untreated, the person is risking high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, memory problems, weight gain, impotency, job impairment, and a higher probability of being involved in a car accident.
In fact, people with this condition have a greater risk of death than the rest of the population and therefore, it can no longer be a joking matter.
When patients visit their dental office, his or her health is reviewed during the exam.
If snoring (because there's enough evidence to show snoring is as equally disruptive) or sleep apnea is not discussed, the patient could be in jeopardy of bigger problems.
In the event the patient is unaware or doesn't 'see' the need to talk about it, it's up to the practitioner to investigate the following warning signs in addition to the usual review: 1) Xerostomia (dry mouth) ~ which could be being caused by current medications 2) Morning headaches 3) Impaired concentration 4) Depression 5) Irritability 6) Excessive sleepiness Given there is a combination of any of the mentioned symptoms warrants additional discussion about the possibility of preventive treatment which can be surgical as well as non-surgical; and, whether or not the dentist is involved with the therapy, it is important for him or her to know of the potential for occlusal changes.
Additionally, scientists are currently looking for the link between heart disease and sleep apnea.
With the studies 'we' have on the conditions attributed to living with Xerostomia, it stands to reason that this condition (a physical disorder) causes dry mouth leading to gum disease which is directly linked to cardiovascular disease.
The connection is there and it's now time to take the discussion beyond 'our' morning coffee.
Each night, millions of men (primarily over 40) and women (after menopause) engage in a life and death struggle for sleep.
Sleep apnea is a major public health issue that can be addressed in the dental chair; and, like good nutrition and regular exercise, sleep is necessary for maintaining a healthy life.
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