From the office of: Marc Malatesta, DDS 3770 Mount Read Blvd I Fact Sheet Sleep Apnea I Rochester, NY 14616-3436 (585) 865-7030 Losing More Than Zs What is sleep apnea? Sleep apnea is a serious, potentially life- threatening sleep disorder that affects approximately 18 million Americans. It owes its name to the Greek word apnea (meaning “want of breath”) and refers to episodes in which a person stops breathing for 10 seconds or more during sleep. With each episode, the sleeper’s brain briefly wakes up in order to resume breathing, resulting in extremely frag- mented and poor-quality sleep. If you or your dentist suspects you suffer from sleep apnea or if you have been diag- • Excessive snoring, choking, or gasping ist. Diagnosis and treatment is based on nosed with sleep apnea, your dentist can during sleep your medical history, physical examina- work closely with your physician to imple- • Insomnia tion, and the results of a polysomnog- ment and manage a prescribed therapy. • Awakening with a dry mouth or sore raphy—an overnight sleep study, which throat measures heart rate and how many times What are the different types breathing is interrupted during sleep. of sleep apnea? What’s the difference between If you are diagnosed with sleep apnea, There are two major types of sleep apnea, snoring and sleep apnea? your dentist can work closely with your both of which can severely disrupt the Unlike mild snoring, individuals with sleep physician to implement and manage regular sleep cycle. apnea stop breathing completely for 10 your therapy. Obstructive apnea: As you sleep, the seconds or more, typically between 10 muscles in the walls of your throat relax and 60 times in a single night. If your What are the treatment options? to the point where the airway collapses partner hears loud snoring punctuated If you have mild obstructive sleep apnea, and prevents air from flowing into your by silences and then a snort or choking initial treatment may include avoiding nose and mouth, but efforts to breathe sound as you resume breathing, this pat- sleeping on your back, losing weight, or continue. This is the most common type tern could signal sleep apnea. cessation of smoking. Dental appliances, of apnea. such as the Thornton Adjustable Posi- Central apnea: Breathing interrup- Why is sleep apnea a concern? tioner® (TAP®), which reposition the lower tions during sleep are caused by problems Studies have shown that people with this jaw and the tongue, have been helpful to with the brain mechanisms that control potentially life-threatening disorder are some patients with mild sleep apnea. breathing. so fatigued during the day that, when If you have severe sleep apnea, driving, their performance is similar to continuous positive airway pressure What are the symptoms of that of a drunk driver. If left untreated, (CPAP) systems are a commonly pre- sleep apnea? sleep apnea can lead to impaired daytime scribed therapy. CPAP delivers air through People with sleep apnea usually do not functioning, high blood pressure, heart a small mask that covers the nose, and remember waking up during the night. attack, and even stroke. the constant pressure keeps the airway Indications of the problem may include: open, which prevents both snoring and • Morning headaches How can my dentist help? episodes of apnea. For patients who have • Excessive daytime sleepiness If your dentist suspects you suffer from trouble tolerating CPAP, other treatments, • Irritability and impaired mental or sleep apnea, he or she will refer you to a including surgery, can eliminate sleep emotional functioning physician, often a sleep medicine special- apnea symptoms. Resources 1.877.2X.A.YEAR www.knowyourteeth.com AGD’s toll-free referral number. Call to locate an AGD Brought to you by the AGD, this Web site answers member dentist in your area. important dental health questions, offers the latest information on current treatments, provides tips for Published with permission by the Academy of first-rate oral hygiene, and can help visitors find highly General Dentistry. © Copyright 2009 by the Academy qualified general dentists near where they live. of General Dentistry. All rights reserved..