Snoring, Sleep Apnea And Your Overall Health

HEALTH snoring, sleep apnea,

AND YOUR OVERALL HEALTH

IT IS ESTIMATED THAT MORE THAN 90 MILLION PEOPLE IN NORTH AMERICA SNORE,

negatively affecting more than 160 million people and families. It is a common complaint and discussion with patients in my dental chair, as we healthcare providers are better understanding how detrimental untreated snoring and related sleep apnea can be to one’s overall health.

What causes snoring? Snoring happens when the flow of air through your mouth and/or nose is blocked. Some people snore occasionally during allergy season or when they have a sinus infection, due to temporary nasal congestion. However, most snoring is a result of reduced airway space in the throat. Muscles and soft tissues of the mouth relax during sleep, allowing the lower jaw to fall back, (especially with back-sleeping), compromising the amount of airflow. Tongue size and extra weight around the neck can compound the degree of obstruction. As air attempts to pass through the constricted space, its increased velocity vibrates the soft tissues of the throat, producing the snoring we hear. Snoring can itself be a symptom of a health problem called obstructive sleep apnea. Those with sleep apnea have multiple extended pauses in breath when they sleep. These breathing lapses cause lower-quality sleep and affect the body’s supply of oxygen, leading to potentially serious health consequences.

What are the risks of untreated snoring or sleep apnea? Because of the affected oxygen balance in the body, untreated snoring and sleep apnea raises dangerous risks for various cardiovascular problems. Produced strain on the heart increases blood pressure, creating a greater risk of coronary artery disease, heart arrhythmias, heart attack, and stoke. GERD is also more likely to be present in those who snore due to disordered airway flow and pressure changes, which affect the contents of the stomach and esophagus. In addition, interrupted sleep is associated with mental and emotional challenges, such as anxiety and depression. Hormone imbalances and weight gain are tied to a lack of quality sleep. Sleepiness during the day can also interfere with mental awareness and increase risk for injury and accidents.

What can be done to stop snoring or correct sleep apnea? Talk to a doctor or dentist if you are overly sleepy during the day, if you snore often or very loudly, or if a partner notices that you sometimes stop breathing altogether. You may be referred for a sleep study to confirm the degree of snoring and/or sleep apnea. If diagnosed with a problem, a common treatment is the nightly use of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. These devices push air through a mask and into the airway to keep it open during sleep. These are tolerated with varying degrees of difficulty. An effective alternative to a CPAP machine, is a dentist-prescribed mouthpiece or snore guard. It is a less cumbersome, affordable, noninvasive snoring solution that has proven highly effective in maintaining airway space. It is a custom-fitted dental device, worn in the mouth as upper and lower trays connected by sidebars, which holds the lower jaw in a slightly forward position while sleeping. It can be adjusted by a sleep-trained dental professional for maximum comfort and effectiveness. w

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Dr. Julianne Colvin is a family and cosmetic dentist who shares ownership of Crawford & Colvin Dentistry located at 16525 Birkdale Commons Parkway, Suite 300, in Huntersville. You can reach Dr. Colvin at 704.895.5850 or schedule online at www.LakeNormanDentist.com.