SLEEP APNEA: > Jump to Sleep Apnea Questionaire Obstructive sleep apnea refers to temporary stopping of breathing during sleep. It is usually manifested as repetitive temporary obstruction of the upper airways: snoring, partial obstruction (hypopnea), or complete obstruction (apnea). Although nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) is the most common treatment approach, many patients may be unable to tolerate it or they are non-compliant. Specially designed oral appliances which are approved by the FDA can be the treatment of choice for those patients. The oral appliances are intended to advance the lower jaw and the tongue forward, thus increasing the airway size and allowing the patient to breathe comfortably.
These oral appliances are fabricated using resin and other materials, and are fitted on the upper and lower teeth. This type of treatment is simple, reversible, cost effective and patient friendly. Historically, a combination of obesity, excessive sleepiness and inadequate airflow to the lungs during sleep was known as Pickwickian Syndrome after a loud-snoring character from Charles Dickens' novel, Pickwik Papers. Today, we refer to same syndrome as Sleep Apnea. Sleep apnea is medically defined as a temporary stoppage of breathing during sleep, occurring more than 30 times during the night. The stoppage is longer than the usual interval between breaths while asleep; more than 10 seconds each time. Sleep apnea is a common condition in older persons, occurring in at least 50% of persons over 60 years of age. On the other hand, it occurs in 6% of middle aged women and 9% of middle aged men. Depending of severity and cause, sleep apnea is associated with a variety of lungs and heart problems; heart arrhythmias, high blood pressure, hardening of arteries, and even heart failure. There are three types of sleep apnea: the Central type (CSA), which is caused by problems with the breathing mechanism itself; the Obstructive type (OSA), in which an obstruction interferes with normal airflow; and the Mixed type(MSA), which combines features of both. The vast majority of cases are the Obstructive sleep apnea type. In OSA, the lungs operate normally, but airflow is blocked due to the upper airway becoming temporarily narrowed or closed. Although the site of obstruction may be anywhere from the nose to the glottis, most frequently the obstruction occurs in the nasopharrynx at the level of the soft palate. Most people with Obstructive Sleep Apnea have a smaller than normal pharynx or a pharynx that is capable of easily collapsing or changing its shape to some degree. The pharynx is controlled by a group of muscles that narrow the pharynx for swallowing or talking, but keep open when inhaling. Sleep interferes with this mechanism by relaxing the upper airway muscles and minimizing the reflexes that prevent the pharynx from collapsing. When the pharynx is partially collapsed, it results in snoring and insufficient airflow. When the collapse is complete, it results is Apnea. A person is more likely to suffer from Sleep Apnea if one or more of the following conditions are present: A Sleep Apnea sufferer may present some or all of the following symptoms: The best way to confirm a Sleep Apnea suspected person is with a test called Polysomnography. This test is usually carried out at a sleep laboratory, when a variety of physiological factors are monitored during sleep, including breathing, heart rate, level of oxygen in the blood, muscle activity, brain activity and eye activity. Sleep Apnea is a common problem, particularly for the elderly. If ignored, it can have serious health consequences. Talk to your Doctor (Dentist or Physician) for evaluation and treatment options. Reconstructive Dentistry Institute SLEEP APNEA QUESTIONAIRE While Sleep Apnea is a sleep disorder affecting all ages & both sexes, 50% of seniors are reported to suffer from this problem. Episodes where the person stops breathing for several seconds at a time for several times per hour are common. Heavy snoring is a common complaint of with Sleep Apnea. A person with Apnea is at risk for developing high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases among other conditions which negatively impact his/her daily life. The following questionnaire is designed as an initial screening for sleep apnea: How likely are you to fall asleep or doze off in the following situations, in contrast to just feeling tired? These situations refer to your usual way of daily living. On a scale of 0 to 3, choose the number that is most appropriate for each situation when you may fall asleep or doze off: 0 - 7 You do not suffer from sleep apnea For more details, please consult your medical or dental doctor. Reconstructive Dentistry Institute
Treatment of Sleep Apnea falls under one of the following therapies:
9406 W. Lake Mead Blvd., #105
Las Vegas, NV 89134
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0 - No chance of dozing
1 - Slight chance of dozing
2 - Moderate chance of dozing
3 - High chance of dozing
8 - 15 You may be suffering from mild sleep apnea, which requires changes in daily living.
16 - 24 You may be suffering from Moderate to Severe sleep apnea,which requires further evaluation, testing and treatment.
9406 W. Lake Mead Blvd., #105
Las Vegas, NV 89134
