Sleep Apnea · Perfect White Smile, Beverly Hills

Can sleep apnea go away? If you or someone you know is suffering from this condition, it’s a natural question to ask. Sleep apnea is a sleep condition where your breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. It can be caused by blocked airways, a brain signal issue, or a combination of both. While lifestyle factors like weight and habits play a big role, sleep apnea can also be hereditary, meaning it runs in families.

If you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea, you’re likely wondering, ‘Is sleep apnea reversible?’. Let’s explore whether sleep apnea can truly go away and what factors might affect that possibility.

Does Sleep Apnea Go Away On Its Own?

Can sleep apnea go away? The answer is no. Some individuals might experience temporary improvements in symptoms, but sleep apnea requires active management to achieve lasting relief.

1. Temporary Improvements:

Sometimes, individuals notice a decrease in sleep apnea symptoms due to changes in lifestyle. For instance, weight loss, quitting smoking, or reducing alcohol consumption can lead to short-term improvements. However, these changes must be sustained over time; otherwise, symptoms will likely return.

2. Underlying Factors:

Sleep apnea often has multiple underlying causes, including obesity, anatomical features (like a narrow airway), and certain medical conditions. If these contributing factors remain unchanged, it is unlikely that sleep apnea will resolve on its own. For those who have inherited sleep apnea, the risk remains even if symptoms improve temporarily.

3. The Need for Diagnosis and Treatment:

A proper diagnosis is important to understand the specific nature of your sleep apnea and determine effective treatment options. If you think you have sleep apnea, consult a healthcare provider.

Does Sleep Apnea Get Better With Age?

The link between sleep apnea and age is complicated. While some people might hope that sleep apnea improves as they get older, the truth is that aging can have mixed effects on this condition.

1. Increased Risk with Age:

Sleep apnea is commonly found in older adults. As people age, changes in the body can make sleep apnea more likely. For example, the muscles in the throat lose tone, which can lead to the airway collapsing during sleep. Additionally, gaining weight as we get older can make sleep apnea worse.

2. Changes in Sleep Patterns:

Older adults often experience different sleep patterns, such as lighter sleep and more frequent awakenings. These changes can make symptoms of sleep apnea more noticeable, leading to more diagnoses in this age group. However, this doesn’t mean that sleep apnea itself is getting better.

3. Management and Treatment:

With the right treatment, including lifestyle changes and therapies like CPAP, many people can improve their sleep apnea symptoms, regardless of age. Staying active, eating healthy, and avoiding alcohol can all help improve sleep quality.

4. Individual Differences:

It’s important to remember that each person’s experience with sleep apnea is unique. Some older adults may find their symptoms improve with treatment, while others may worsen. Factors like overall health, medical conditions, and lifestyle choices matter a lot.

Will Sleep Apnea Go Away With Age?

The relationship between sleep apnea and age is complex. While some people hope it improves with age, the reality is that sleep apnea can become more common and severe as we get older.

1. Increased Risk:

Older adults are at a higher risk for sleep apnea because of changes in muscle tone and weight gain, which can cause airway collapse during sleep.

2. Changes in Sleep Patterns:

As people get older, their sleep patterns change, causing them to sleep lighter and wake up more often. This can make sleep apnea symptoms easier to notice.

3. Treatment Options:

With proper management, including lifestyle changes and treatments like CPAP, many people can improve their symptoms, regardless of age.

4. Individual Experience:

Each person’s experience with sleep apnea is different. Some older adults may see their symptoms improve, while others may experience worsening issues.

Can Sleep Apnea Go Away With Surgery?

Surgery can be an option for treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), especially when other treatments like CPAP have failed. Common surgical procedures include uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), which removes excess throat tissue, and maxillomandibular advancement (MMA), which repositions the jaw to increase airway space.

While many patients see significant improvements after surgery, it’s not a guaranteed cure, and results vary based on individual factors like anatomy and severity of the condition. Risks such as infection and changes in swallowing may also occur, so a thorough evaluation is essential to know if surgery is the right choice for you. Some patients may require additional treatments even after surgery to maintain optimal results.

Is Sleep Apnea Permanent

Some individuals experience temporary relief from sleep apnea symptoms, but the condition does not go away on its own and often requires ongoing management. Factors such as weight, lifestyle changes, and specific treatments can contribute to improvement, but personalized care is essential.

Take the First Step to Better Sleep!

If you’re wondering, “Can sleep apnea go away?” it’s crucial to explore your treatment options. At Perfect White Smile in Beverly Hills, CA, our team is ready to help you find the right solutions for your sleep health. Book your consultation today! New patients can call (310) 737-8787 while existing patients can reach us at (310) 276-4537.

FAQs

Can sleep apnea go away on its own?

Most cases of sleep apnea do not resolve without treatment. While some individuals may experience temporary improvements, ongoing management is usually necessary.

What are the main treatments for sleep apnea?

Common treatments include continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, oral appliances, lifestyle changes, and, in some cases, surgery.

Does weight loss help with sleep apnea?

Weight loss may reduce or eliminate the symptoms of sleep apnea, especially if someone is obese.

Is sleep apnea a lifelong condition?

Sleep apnea is a chronic condition requiring treatment for a good quality of life.

Have you ever wondered: Is sleep apnea genetic?

Do you often wake up feeling tired and irritable and struggle to stay alert throughout the day? If so, you might be wondering whether you are born with sleep apnea. This common condition disrupts sleep and causes serious health issues if it is not treated. While factors like weight and lifestyle choices contribute to sleep apnea, many people question: Is sleep apnea genetic? If you have seen similar sleep challenges in your family, it’s only natural to consider the possibility that genetics might play a role.

In this blog, we’ll explore the connections between genetics and sleep apnea and help you understand if there’s a hereditary factor at play in your situation.

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder recognized by repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep. These pauses last for a few seconds to minutes and occur several times in an hour. It leads to disrupted sleep patterns and several health issues, including daytime fatigue, irritability, and increased risk for conditions such as heart disease and diabetes.

To answer the question: “Is sleep apnea genetic?” let us learn about the types of sleep apnea.

Types Of Sleep Apnea

1. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA):

OSA happens when your throat muscles relax too much during sleep and block your airway. This causes pauses in breathing, snoring, and poor sleep. Being overweight or having large tonsils can increase the risk of OSA.

2. Central Sleep Apnea (CSA):

CSA is less common and occurs when your brain doesn’t send the right signals to control breathing. It is caused by a problem with how your brain controls breathing during sleep.

3. Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome:

Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome or mixed sleep apnea is a combination of both OSA and CSA. It often shows up in people who start with OSA but continue to have problems even after treatment.

Does Sleep Apnea Run In Families?

When sleep apnea runs in families, it suggests a genetic link. While lifestyle factors like obesity, smoking, and physical traits (like a small airway) play a big role in developing sleep apnea, genetics can also increase your risk.

If you have family members with sleep apnea, you might be more likely to experience it, too. The shape of your airway, tongue position, or even how your brain controls breathing are inherited traits that can make you more prone to developing sleep apnea. Research also points to genetic factors influencing conditions like obesity, which is a major risk factor for sleep apnea.

Which Genes Or Traits Might Influence Sleep Apnea?

Several genes and physical traits may influence the likelihood of developing sleep apnea. Here’s how genetics can play a role:

1. Airway Anatomy:

Inherited traits like the size and shape of your throat, jaw, tongue, or tonsils can increase your risk. For example, a narrow airway or large tonsils can block the airway during sleep, which can lead to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

2. Obesity-Related Genes:

Obesity is a significant cause of sleep apnea, and some people may inherit genes that make it easier to gain weight. Fat deposits around the neck can increase pressure on the airway and raise the risk of OSA.

3. Muscle Control Genes:

Sleep apnea can be influenced by genes related to how the brain controls muscles that manage breathing. These genes may affect how well your throat muscles stay open during sleep or how effectively your brain regulates breathing, contributing to obstructive and central sleep apnea.

4. Inflammatory and Immune Response Genes:

Some studies suggest that genes involved in inflammation and immune response might be linked to the development of sleep apnea. This is because chronic inflammation can affect the airway and cause it to collapse during sleep.

5. Brain Signaling Genes:

In central sleep apnea, the issue lies in the brain’s ability to send signals to control breathing. Certain genetic factors may influence the nervous system’s ability to regulate these signals, increasing the likelihood of central sleep apnea.

Does Genetic Sleep Apnea Require Different Treatment?

Genetic sleep apnea does not require treatment that is different from non-genetic sleep apnea. Whether inherited traits or lifestyle factors influence your sleep apnea, the standard treatments are effective for managing the condition.

Here are the common treatments used for all types of sleep apnea:

1. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP):

This is the most common treatment. It involves wearing a mask that provides steady air pressure to keep your airway open while you sleep. Whether sleep apnea runs in your family or not, it works for everyone.

2. Lifestyle Changes:

Losing weight, quitting smoking, and avoiding alcohol can reduce the severity of sleep apnea. These changes help in both genetic and non-genetic cases.

3. Surgery:

If your airway is narrow due to your genetics, surgery can help. It might involve removing extra tissue or reshaping the airway to improve breathing.

4. Oral Appliances:

These are special devices that adjust the position of your jaw or tongue to keep your airway open. They work well for people whose airway shape, which can be inherited, contributes to sleep apnea.

Is Sleep Apnea Genetic?

Sleep apnea is influenced by genetic factors, lifestyle choices, and health conditions. If you have a family history of sleep apnea, it’s important to be aware of the symptoms and seek early treatment to prevent complications. Sleep apnea can be effectively managed with proper care, improving both sleep quality and overall health.

Concerned About Sleep Apnea? Let Perfect White Smile Help

If sleep apnea runs in your family, or you have noticed symptoms like snoring or interrupted breathing during sleep, don’t wait to get help. At Perfect White Smile in Beverly Hills, CA, our team is here to assess your condition and provide the treatment you need. Book your consultation today!

New patients can call at (310) 737-8787 while existing patients can call us at (310) 276-4537.

FAQs

Is sleep apnea hereditary?

Sleep apnea can be hereditary. If your family has a history of sleep apnea, you may be at a higher risk of developing the condition. Genetic traits such as a naturally narrow airway, larger tonsils, or other physical features that affect breathing can be passed down through generations.

What are sleep apnea genetic factors?

Sleep apnea genetic factors include inherited traits that affect the structure of the airway, such as a small jaw, large tonsils, or a narrow throat. These physical traits can make the airway more likely to collapse during sleep and lead to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). In addition, genetic factors related to how the brain controls breathing may also increase the risk of central sleep apnea (CSA).

Is sleep apnea more common in certain age groups or genders due to genetics?

Sleep apnea is more common in men and becomes more likely as people age, but genetics can influence anyone’s risk, regardless of age or gender.

Beverly Hills sleep apnea patients do have a choice when it comes to treating their disease. Obstructive sleep apnea can be treated by using a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine or a dental appliance. The choice of which device will be used is usually made by a sleep physician but only a dentist can fit a custom oral appliance.

Most patients diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea are initially fitted for a CPAP machine. These machines keep the patients airway open during sleep by pushing pressurized air through a mask and hose. While CPAP is considered the gold standard of sleep apnea therapy about half of the patients who try CPAP cannot tolerate using the machine. Complaints range from feeling claustrophobic, rashes or eye problems caused by leaky masks to just being unable to sleep while tethered to the machine. For a patient to be considered “compliant” with their CPAP they only need to use it at least 4 hours each night. That leaves a lot of sleeping time during which obstructive sleep apnea is not being treated and the oxygen levels of the patient are low.

Another option for obstructive sleep apnea patients is an oral appliance. These custom fit devices keep the airway open at night by either pushing the jaw forward, called a mandibular advancement device, or by keeping the tongue from falling back with a retaining device. The most popular and commonly used device is the mandibular advancement device. Studies have shown a much higher rate of compliance among patients who use oral appliances. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has approved the use of oral appliances to treat mild to moderate cases of obstructive sleep apnea and in more severe cases when the patient is CPAP intolerant.

Oral appliances are also highly effective at stopping snoring in those patients who snore loudly but do not have sleep apnea. Only dentists who have received specialized training in the field of dental sleep medicine should be trusted to create and fit these appliances for snoring or sleep apnea.

To find out if an oral appliance might be right for treating your snoring or obstructive sleep apnea please contact Beverly Hills sleep medicine dentist Dr. David Frey at 310-276-4537 today to schedule your consultation.

It has been said the sleep apnea is one of the most common sleep disorders to affect Americans of all ages. Of the different varieties of this condition, it is obstructive sleep apnea that occurs most frequently. Obstructive sleep apnea is the sleep disorder in which the airway becomes blocked, ultimately interrupting sleep. Because the consequences of the process of breathing-blockage-stimulation can be severe, it is important that people who suspect they or a loved one may have sleep apnea receive appropriate care.

Adverse effects of sleep apnea include:

Increased risk for accidents
Depression
Heightened ADHD
Diabetes
Irregular heartbeat, heart attack, and heart failure
High blood pressure

Children who suffer from sleep apnea are more prone to accidents, as well. Additionally, research suggests that behavior problems, poor academic performance, and bed-wetting are potential side effects of adolescent sleep apnea.

When To Talk To Your Doctor

A dental examination and consultation are not likely to confirm the existence of sleep apnea. An accurate diagnosis stems from a formal sleep study ordered by your physician of record. The following symptoms may alert you that a consultation is needed:

Disruptive snoring.
Pauses in snoring sounds.
Gasping or choking after this silence.
Excessive daytime fatigue.
Sore or dry throat upon waking.
Headache pain upon waking, or chronic migraines.
Restless sleep.

What Your Dentist Can Do

Many people believe that they must obtain medical treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. This can lead to an ongoing struggle, as the primary therapy, CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure), may cause unpleasant side effects of its own. There is another option, oral airway appliance therapy.

Oral appliances have come a long way in recent years, as device manufacturers have discovered how to refine the profile of oral fixtures. Today, oral appliance therapy is used by thousands of patients who wish to restore sleep without the need for a bedside unit and nasal mask. The objective of this treatment protocol is to position the jaw in such a manner that the airway remains comfortably open.

Obstructive sleep apnea steals a lot more than a good night’s sleep. Learn how your Beverly Hills dentist Dr. David Frey can help you breathe easier. Call 310-276-4537.

As a Beverly Hills sleep apnea dentist I was surprised to see the results of a new study. The research, completed in Sweden, showed that 50% of the 400 women given overnight sleep tests turned out to have mild to severe cases of sleep apnea. Women who had the risk factors of high blood pressure or obesity were even more likely to have sleep apnea (over 80% of this group suffered from the disorder).

Sleep apnea is linked to increased risk of stroke, heart attack, diabetes and early death. The population of women in the Swedish study was random and half of them experienced at least five episodes an hour when they stopped breathing for periods of longer than 10 seconds. This is the definition of mild sleep apnea. Many women stopped breathing even more often and were diagnosed with moderate to severe sleep apnea.

Lead researcher Dr. Karl Franklin said “How important is the mild sleep apnea, we don’t know.” Another sleep specialist, Dr. Terry Young of the University of Wisconsin said that mild sleep apnea is something that shouldn’t be ignored. “We see that it doesn’t go away and it gets worse,” she said.

Dr. Young also explained that sleep apnea is typically thought of as a condition that affects men. “The prejudice of excluding women(as potentially having sleep apnea) has been rampant for a long time. It’s gotten better, however, and the (public health) gain in identifying women with sleep apnea is great,” she continued.

Beverly Hills women who experience snoring, extreme daytime sleepiness, weight gain and high blood pressure should be screened for obstructive sleep apnea. Many people choose not to be tested because they are afraid they will have to sleep with a CPAP. While CPAP is the gold standard of treatment for sleep apnea, more and more patients are choosing an oral appliance instead. Oral appliances are small, comfortable and easily tolerated by most patients. They work by placing the lower jaw in a forward position that enables the airway to remain open during sleep. No more snoring and no more gasping for breath following stoppages of breathing.

To schedule your screening visit please contact Beverly Hills sleep apnea dentist Dr. David Frey at 310-276-4537 today.

If you have sleep apnea you probably have some of its related conditions as well. Beverly Hills sleep apnea patients need to know that sleep apnea comes with “comorbidities” like type 2 diabetes, obesity, heart disease and mood disorders. These are conditions that coexist with sleep apnea but are also serious health conditions on their own.

According to research conducted by Dr. Naresh Punjabi, about 30 to 50 percent of sleep apnea patients have type 2 diabetes while 70 to 80 percent of type 2 diabetes patients also have obstructive sleep apnea. While the report doesn’t say which disease causes the other, Dr. Punjabi did explain that both the fragmented sleep and oxygen deprivation caused by sleep apnea are known to cause stress to the sleeper’s metabolism.

Treating obstructive sleep apnea can help. One study that appeared in the May 2012 issue of the journal Sleep showed that patients with glucose intolerance (an early warning sign of diabetes) improved their ability to tolerate sugars after eight weeks of treating their severe sleep apnea with CPAP. many studies have shown that treating sleep apnea improves overall health and increases feelings of energy and well-being.

CPAP is a wonderful treatment for sleep apnea but about 50% of patients cannot tolerate sleeping with the machines. Fortunately there is another treatment option for CPAP intolerant patients – an oral appliance created by a dentist who is trained in treating sleep apnea patients. Sleep apnea sufferers stop breathing during sleep because the soft tissues of the mouth and throat can fall back and block the airway. Oral appliances work by keeping these tissues from collapsing into the throat during sleep. Depending upon your needs this is accomplished by a mouthpiece that holds the tongue in place or more commonly, a mandibular advancement device which places the jaw in a position that allows the airway to remain open.

Find out more about your treatment options by contacting Beverly Hills sleep apnea dentist Dr. David Frey at 310-276-4537 today. We’ll schedule your consultation to see if oral appliance therapy is right for you.

Beverly Hills patients with obstructive sleep apnea have an increased risk for high blood pressure and heart disease. Research has shown that treating the disorder can lower this risk.

Obstructive sleep apnea is a disorder that causes people to stop breathing during sleep. Breathing stops because the soft tissues of the mouth and throat relax during sleep and fall back, blocking the airway. The oxygen levels in the body drop and the brain briefly wakens the sleeper to start breathing again. This happens many times each hour and the sleeper does not remember any of it. The obstructive sleep apnea sufferer only knows that they wake up feeling terrible, they are exhausted and feel sleepy and tired all of the time.

The bed partner of the sleep apnea patient is aware that there is something going on throughout the night. Because of the loud snoring and gasping for air the bed partner experiences fragmented sleep as well – this also impacts their health and well-being.

Sleep apnea can be treated by a dentist who has special training in the field of dental sleep medicine. Why a dentist? One of the best ways to treat obstructive sleep apnea is through the use of a custom oral appliance only available through a sleep medicine dentist. This small device looks similar to an orthodontic retainer and is used to gently move the lower jaw into a forward position – this keeps the tongue and other tissues from falling into the airway and stops the snoring and stoppages of breath. You can breath easily all night long.

For more information about snoring, obstructive sleep apnea and how your Beverly Hills sleep apnea dentist can help please contact Dr. David Frey at 310-276-4537 today to schedule a consultation. You’ll both sleep better.

Women may show different symptoms than men and their obstructive sleep apnea may be diagnosed less often even in Beverly Hills. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a disorder that causes people to stop breathing during sleep. Loud snoring, gasping for breath and daytime fatigue are common symptoms that suggest screening patients for OSA.

Obstructive sleep apnea has severe health consequences and greatly increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. Most women don’t realize that cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of women in America so diagnosing and treating a risk factor like obstructive sleep apnea is vital to their well being.

Patients with OSA often don’t seek diagnosis. They are not aware that they snore, gasp and stop breathing during sleep and may only seek help when a bed partner complains about the noise keeping them up at night. Women may be diagnosed less frequently because daytime sleepiness is a key symptom that men report much more frequently than women. It is more common for breathing problems to keep women from falling asleep or staying asleep.

Treating obstructive sleep apnea usually involves sleeping with a CPAP machine which pumps air through a mask allowing the sleeper to breath all night. Unfortunately this treatment is not well tolerated by many patients. The suggested treatment for mild to moderate sleep apnea is an oral appliance made by your specially trained Beverly Hills sleep medicine dentist. The oral appliance is worn in the mouth at night and helps hold the jaw in a position that keeps the airway open allowing a full night of breathing and sleep.

Ladies, if snoring, tiredness and weight gain are a problem please contact Dr. David Frey at 310-276-4537 today to schedule your consultation and discuss diagnosis and treatment options.

Sleep apnea is a serious condition but most patients in Beverly Hills have not been diagnosed or are not treating their disease. Eye health, specifically treatment for age-related macular degeneration has now been linked to obstructive sleep apnea.

Research presented at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology showed that patients with age-related macular degeneration who did not respond to treatment may have untreated obstructive sleep apnea.

“Obstructive sleep apnea is a systemic disease that affects many organs” said lead authori Dr. Yoreh Barak. “Patients can have conditions such as high blood pressure and this can adversely affect the blood vessels in the eye.” Dr. Barak and his group suspected that 12 of their patients with AMD who failed to respond to treatment might have obstructive sleep apnea. Following testing and treatment of their sleep apnea the patients response to the treatment for their macular degeneration improved.

Like Dr. Barak said, sleep apnea is more than loud snoring. The lapses in breathing during sleep cause oxygen levels in the body to drop causing damage to the cardiovascular system and other parts of the body. It seems that every week we are learning more about the dangers of sleep apnea and the importance of a good night’s sleep for overall health.

If you snore loudly and experience daytime sleepiness you may suffer from undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea. Please contact Beverly Hills sleep apnea dentist Dr. David Frey at 310-276-4537 today to learn more about diagnosing your condition and to discover whether you are a candidate for treatment using an oral appliance.

Do you spend most days feeling blah? Just sort of tired, worn out and sleepy? You eat right, take your vitamins, try to exercise but still seem to lack the energy you used to have – you aren’t alone and dental sleep medicine may be able to help!

About 18 million Americans, including those living in Beverly Hills, have obstructive sleep apnea but about 90% of them don’t know it. One of the signs of obstructive sleep apnea is fatigue and daytime sleepiness. Other signs are weight gain, loud snoring and often gasping or choking noises during sleep.

Sleep apnea causes the airway to become blocked during sleep which deprives the body of oxygen. The oxygen starved brain will waken the sleeper briefly, usually with a gasp, to start breathing again. Although patients with sleep apnea waken many times during the night they do not remember the episodes.

The sleeper feels exhausted the next day because their sleep has been interrupted so many times. The drop is oxygen levels caused by sleep apnea cause changes in blood vessels and in the heart leading to heart disease and stroke.

Treatment of this disorder usually begins with a CPAP machine. CPAP is a wonderful therapy for those who can tolerate sleeping with the machine and accompanying masks and tubes but for many this is impossible.

Patients who are CPAP intolerant or who are simply looking for an easier treatment for their disorder should seek a dentist who has received training in the field of dental sleep medicine. A specially trained dentist can create an oral appliance that works with your body mechanics to keep your airway open all night long allowing uninterrupted sleep. No more snoring and gasping for air.

Find out more about oral appliance therapy from Beverly Hills sleep apnea dentist Dr. David Frey at 310-276-4537 today. We’ll be happy to schedule your consultation in our Beverly Hills dental sleep medicine office.

Obstructive sleep apnea affects millions of Americans and most don’t even know they have it. Untreated obstructive sleep apnea is linked to heart attack, stroke, sexual dysfunction, weight gain, depression, diabetes and increased risk of accident. It is a serious problem that many people choose to ignore.

How do you know if you should get screened for obstructive sleep apnea? Answering a few simple questions is a good way to start: Do you snore? Do you experience extreme daytime sleepiness? Have you ever been told that you stop breathing during sleep or that you snort or gasp during sleep? If you answered yes then you should schedule an appointment for screening.

The problem occurs during sleep when the soft tissues of the mouth and throat relax and collapse, blocking the airway and stopping breathing. As the brain becomes deprived of oxygen it will briefly waken the sleeper to begin breathing again but these waking episodes will not be remembered in the morning.

A review funded by the Department of Health and Human Services Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality found that wearing an oral appliance and using continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) were the most effective treatments for obstructive sleep apnea. Treatment using CPAP and oral appliances worn at night were backed by the strongest evidence. The report stated that weight loss and surgery may also be effective but the evidence behind these treatments was not as strong.

The researchers at Tufts Medical Center found that air pumped through a mask while the patient is asleep (CPAP) is highly effective in improving symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea. Unfortunately about half of the patients prescribed CPAP find sleeping with the mask and machine impossible. Luckily the report also found that a mandibular advancement device, an oral appliance created by a specially trained sleep apnea dentist was also very effective.

If you think you might have the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea or have been diagnosed with sleep apnea and are CPAP intolerant or simply find the machine difficult to use every night please contact Beverly Hills sleep apnea dentist Dr. David Frey at 310-276-4537 today to discuss your treatment options. We’ll be happy to schedule a sleep apnea consultation to see if you are a candidate for an oral appliance.

Two studies published in the Journal of the American Medical Association suggest a link between treating obstructive sleep apnea and reducing high blood pressure. Obstructive sleep apnea is a common disorder in which the soft tissues of the mouth and throat relax during sleep and drop back into the throat. This blocks the airway leading to loud snoring (partial blockage) and complete stoppages of breath (full blockage). The oxygen deprived sleeper will briefly waken to gasp for air and immediately fall back asleep.

Patients suffering from sleep apnea can suffer these stoppages of breath many times each night. Each time this happens the body becomes starved for oxygen which stresses the cardiovascular system. Small wonder that sleep apnea is linked to stroke and cardiovascular disease.

The studies looked at treating sleep apnea using CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) which is highly effective for those patients who can tolerate it. Unfortunately about half of patients prescribed CPAP cannot sleep with the machine and leave their sleep apnea untreated.

There is another highly effective treatment available to patients who are CPAP intolerant. An oral appliance created by a dentist who is specially trained in the field of dental sleep medicine can keep the airway open during sleep. Oral appliances are designed to work with your body to keep you breathing all night long.

If you experience loud snoring, daytime sleepiness and weight gain you may have undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea. If these symptoms sound familiar or if you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea but are CPAP intolerant please contact Beverly Hills sleep apnea dentist Dr. David Frey at 310-276-4537 today to schedule your consultation. You can improve your health, regain your energy and feel good again!