Sleep disorders can range from mild snoring to the more serious obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
Sleep disorders can lead to serious health problems for the snorer, spouse, or other family member whose sleep may be disrupted.
- Hypertension
- Anxiety
- TMJ
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- ADD / ADHD
- Headaches / Migraines
- Tiredness / Lack of Energy / Insomnia / Fatigue
- Snoring
- Clenching of Jaw
- Bruxism
- Lower IQ
There are 2 main types of Sleep Apnea: Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and Central Sleep Apnea (CSA).
With improper breathing, blood oxygen decreases and carbon dioxide increases. This triggers release of cortisol. This stress hormone will increase heart rate and activate muscles to force breathing. Although the patients do not actually wake, they are driven from deep restorative sleep to “catch their breath”. Once they begin to relax to the deeper levels of sleep, it happens all over again. This is hard on the body – like running a race all night long. Patients will wake up exhausted and tired, but more importantly, prolonged levels of increased cortisol negatively affects the immune system, normal hormone production, insulin function, gastric acid production, and learning and memory retrieval, and a host of other organs and body functions.
ORAL APPLIANCE THERAPY IS A GREAT SOLUTION FOR PATIENTS SUFFERING FROM THE EFFECTS OF SNORING AND SLEEP APNEA.
The oral appliance is designed to move the mandible forward during sleep, hence the tongue will be advanced to unblock the airway.