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Snoring is a Symptom Snoring – nobody is really a fan of it, especially if you are the one listening to it in the middle of the night. The general perception is snoring is a benign, somewhat humorous situation. However, in his informative book, Snore, No More, James Mosley points out “Snoring is abnormal and can be hazardous to your health!” Most snorers eventually develop Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). This condition results in a stop in breathing which may occur many times per hour. These pauses in breathing may last from a few seconds to more than a minute. To start breathing again, a person must wake up (even though they may not be aware of it). This means they will rarely be in the deeper stages of restorative sleep long enough to get rested, process memories, and allow the body to regenerate. This can occur in young children as well as mature adults. In fact, OSA can be misdiagnosed as ADHD in many young people. Snoring and sleep apnea can be an inherited characteristic. Just as you inherit the size of your nose and ears, you also inherit the length and shape of your soft palate, the size and shape of your airway, and the size of your tongue. If one or both parents snore, there is a strong possibility you may as well! This puts you at greater risk of OSA. There is app called SnoreLab with a free version that will let you know if and how loud you are shaking the room! Another finding of those who struggle to keep their airway open is clenching of teeth (bruxism). When the teeth are clenched, it is easier to force the tongue forward to reduce its blocking your airway. As dentists, we see this all the time.
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3205 Robinson Creek Parkway • Huntsville 28 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | July 2021
A mechanical, air-pump device (CPAP) that forces air into your lungs through different styles of mask is the typical prescription, but many cannot tolerate wearing the device. There are other alternatives. One obtained through a Qualified Sleep Dentist is a Mandibular Advancement Device (MAD), and it postures your jaw and tongue forward throughout the night to keep the airway open. Snoring isn’t a benign activity. Many chronic health problems are directly associated, including elevated blood pressure, irregular/abnormal heartbeats, tachycardia, gastric reflux or IBS, tension and migraine headaches, not to mention an increase in the risk of heart attacks, stroke, and a variety of other concerns. The important thing is your health. If you have questions about OSA, call our office for more information. Sleep tight! If you have a question or a topic you want to be discussed, send an email to drlogan@ drscottlogan.com.
Scott Logan, DDS
www.drscottlogan.com
