Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea can cause heart stress leading to strokes, heart attacks and even death. Getting proper treatment is very important for those who are suffering from sleep apnea.

To understand how to treat sleep apnea, we must understand why sleep apnea occurs and what it is. When sleeping on your back, your tongue can rest too far back in your throat, causing a collapose of the airway. This leads to the choking (apnea) response. The restriction of oxygen results in a depletion to the brain and generally causes you to either briefly wake up or change positions so air can flow again and the blockage is relieved. In the most extreme cases, some people have choked to death in their sleep.

If left unattended, sleep apnea can progress into a a severe problem. The most common treatment is the CPAP machine, that forces air directly to the lungs by pushing past the obstruction. Some find the CPAP machine a lifesaver, but for mild to moderate cases, a dental appliance can be just as effective. The appliance pulls the lower jaw forward while sleeping, relieving the obstruction to the airway. The appliance relieves choking and snoring and is generally worn for life.