No Air.. No Air..
Recently Our Team @ Orchard Scotts Dental attended a Sleep Apnea Lecture with Sleep Doctors Dr Kenny Pang, Neurologist Dr Lim and german Dentist Dr Schwarting, organized by the College of General Dental Practitoners Singapore(CGDP).
It’s amazing what we can see in the mouth and find out using Dental Radiographs. Dentist play a big part in helping to co-diagnose and treating patients with Sleep Disorders. There is a big impact that Sleep Apnea has on a patients life. Sleep Apnea has causes many Failed marriages, Unhappy spouses, Sleepless nights, Grouchy People. On a more serious note, sleep Apnea left untreated can lead to High blood pressure, Stroke, Heart failure, irregular heart beats, and heart attacks, Diabetes,Depression.. or even.. DEATH!
Jordan Sparks may just be singing the subconscious world of Sleep apnea patient.
Her Lyrics,
“Tell me how I’m supposed to breathe with no air
If I should die before I wake
It’s ’cause you took my breath away
Losing you is like living in a world with no air
I’m here alone, didn’t wanna leave
My heart won’t move, it’s incomplete
Wish there was a way that I can make you understand”
Jordan Sparks and Chris Brown -NO Air.. NO Air …
The Greek word “apnea” literally means “without breath.”
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is caused by a blockage of the airway, usually when the soft tissue in the rear of the throat collapses and closes during sleep.Typically, normal breathing then starts again, sometimes with a loud snort or choking sound.
Animation of Sleep Apnea Patient.
It can be tough to identify sleep apnea on your own, since the most prominent symptoms only occur when you’re asleep. But you can get around this difficulty by asking a bed partner to observe your sleep habits or recording yourself during sleep.
Major Symptoms:
- Loud and chronic snoring
- Choking, snorting, or gasping during sleep
- Long pauses in breathing
- Daytime sleepiness, no matter how much time you spend in bed
Other Common Symptoms include:
- Waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat
- Morning headaches
- Restless or fitful sleep
- Insomnia or night time awakening
- Going to the bathroom frequently during the night
- Waking up feeling out of breath
- Forgetfulness and difficulty concentrating
- Moodiness, irritability, or depression
Untreated, sleep apnea can cause high blood pressure and other cardiovascular disease, memory problems, weight gain, impotency, and headaches. Moreover, untreated sleep apnea may be responsible for job impairment and motor vehicle crashes. Fortunately, sleep apnea can be diagnosed and treated. Several treatment options exist.
Treatment Options (Vary from severity of Apnea):
- Oral Appliance Therapy
- CPAP
- Surgery
- Behavioral Therapy
- Medication
Sleep Apnea Treatment Options
Amongst other treatment options In a Dental perspective:
Oral appliances may be an option for patients. The SomnoMed MAS™ is a Mandibular Advancement Splint (MAS) that treats snoring and mild to moderate OSA by moving the lower jaw forward slightly. This forward movement tightens the soft tissue and muscles of the upper airway, which prevents obstruction of the airway while you sleep. The tightening created by the device also prevents the tissues of the upper airway from vibrating as air passes over them – the most common cause of loud snoring.
It works by preventing airway obstruction and allowing the patient to breathe easily and continuously. Worn in the mouth like an orthodontic appliance during sleep, oral appliances keep the soft tissue from collapsing and interrupting normal breathing patterns.
SomnoMed MAS™
…. Sings….
“No air, air
No air, air
No air, air
No air, air
But somehow I’m still alive inside
You took my breath, but I survived
I don’t know how, but I don’t even care”
Imagine Choking in the middle of the night. Not Fun.
”
