Sleep disorder-Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a serious medical condition when breathing repeatedly stops and starts while the patient is asleep. OSA is a common sleep disorder. It is caused by blockage of the airway when the soft tissues in the rear of the throat collapses and closes during sleep. These repeated stops in breathing usually lasts about 10 seconds and are followed by snorts, gasps, or choking sounds as the patient’s body fights to start breathing again.
Diagnosis of OSA
The physician does a physical examination and asks about your sleep. The physician evaluates and diagnoses OSA based on your signs and symptoms, and sleep tests. Sleep tests can be performed at home or hospital sleep lab.
· Home Sleep Test (HST)-test is performed at home. The sleep test involves measuring the heart rate, blood oxygen level, airflow and breathing patterns while the patient is asleep. It is usually 2 nights of testing. The test result is read and diagnosed by a Board Certified Sleep Physician.
· Hospital sleep lab-test is performed in the hospital sleep lab and is hooked up to equipment that monitors the heart, lung and brain activity and breathing patterns while the patient is asleep.
Signs and Symptoms of OSA-common OSA signs and symptoms include:
· Day time sleepiness, at work or while driving;
· Impaired cognition, memory or learning problems, not able to concentrate;
· Depression, irritability/mood disorders;
· Dry mouth or sore throat when you wake up;
· Headaches in the morning;
· Snoring;
· Waking up suddenly and feeling like you are gasping or choking.
Causes of OSA
Most common cause of OSA is excess weight and obesity, which is associated with the soft tissue of the mouth and throat. During sleep, when the throat and tongue muscles are relaxed, the soft tissues in the rear of the throat collapse and close, and cause the airway to become blocked.
Risk factors of OSA
These factors may increase the risk of OSA:
· Excess weight, obesity;
· People with thicker necks might have narrower airways;
· Being male;
· Being older;
· Use of alcohol, sedative or tranquilizers;
· Smoking;
· Medical conditions: congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, chronic lung diseases and Parkinson’s disease.
Complications of OSA
· Higher risk of stroke: 65% of stroke patients have sleep apnea;
· Higher risk of heart diseases: 40-83% patients with hypertension have sleep apnea. Studies show sleep apnea increase the heart rate and blood pressure;
· Higher risk of diabetes: 48% of type 2 diabetes patients have sleep apnea;
· Patients with OSA have 23 times higher risk of heart attack compared to a healthy patient.
Treatment Options of OSA
· Positive Airway Pressure Devices (CPAP)-the most widely used treatment for moderate to severe sleep apnea. It is the most common and reliable method of treating sleep apnea, but some people find it cumbersome and uncomfortable. The problem with CPAP is patient compliance.
· Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT)-best for mild to moderate sleep apnea. OAT supports the lower jaw in a forward position to help maintain an open airway.
· Surgery-an option for patients after other treatments have failed. The goal of the surgery is to enlarge the airway through the nose or throat that may be causing the blockage of the airway.
Dr. Anna Lee is a General and Cosmetic dentist in Glendora, CA. She is experienced in all phases of dentistry. She conducts a full evaluation of your teeth, mouth and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and screens for sleep apnea. Sleep test is necessary for the physician to diagnose the sleep disorder. Dr. Anna Lee can help you with different treatment options for the sleep disorder. If you have any questions about OSA, please call for a consultation at 626-335-5114 or visit us at www.annaleedds.com