Posts Tagged ‘snoring’

Snoring: Causes and Treatment options to help with this Social Problem

During a recent Boy Scout outing my son Matthew and I went to Muskegon to sleep on the World War II submarine USS Silversides.  This is quite an experience spending the night on such a vessel.   I have such an appreciation for what the men who served in the war did for our country some 65 years ago and the sacrifices they gave.  If you are in the area take some time to explore this great piece of history.

During the night sleeping in a confined setting with others I experienced what many have to deal with every night—SNORING!!!  I had quite a sleepless night sleeping next to a man who snored after every breath.   I gave him my business card and told him that I can help him with a snoring appliance that I will later describe.  It became apparent to me what I needed to write my monthly article on.  There are a few observations I made here that I think snorers need to hear and appreciate.

Those who snore without a stoppage of breathing are usually not affected by their actions.   Even though there is nothing they can consciously do about their actions it remains an obtrusive act to others.   Even with the use of ear plugs the sound can penetrate and keep others awake.

This act of snoring can lead to embarrassment and feeling of hopelessness to those who snore.

Being married to one who snores can have a effect on the marriage because it keeps the other spouse up at night creating resentment and exhaustion for them.  Many partners of snorers decide to sleep in separate rooms, and the resulting lack of bedtime chatting and physical intimacy can lead to a strained relationship. The person who snores often becomes isolated and frustrated about a problem they seemingly have no control over.

Negative Physical Consequences of heavy snoring and sleep apnea:

Deep snoring can lead to a more physically serious problem called sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is when one stops breathing during one of the snoring cycles.  As one goes into a deeper level of sleep the muscles in the back of the throat get more relaxed and eventually close off the airway.  They will eventually gasp for air after a 10-15 second episode of not breathing because the brain senses a decrease in blood oxygen.  During this oxygen deprivation the body produces a surge of adrenaline deposited into the blood stream which raises blood pressure and gets the heart to pump harder.  The person can develop systemic problems like diabetes, chronic fatigue, high blood pressure and a whole host of other problems from this potentially serious problem.

Causes of snoring out of our control:

• Heredity – A narrow throat, a cleft palate, enlarged adenoids and other physical attributes which contribute to snoring can be hereditary.
• Being middle-aged or beyond – As you age, your throat becomes narrower, and the muscle tone in your throat decreases.
• Being male - Men have narrower air passages than women and are more likely to snore.
• Allergies, asthma, a cold, or sinus infections – Blocked airways make inhalation difficult and create a vacuum in the throat, leading to snoring.

Remedies:

• Lose weight – Losing weight is often a very effective cure for mild to moderate snoring. Even a little bit of weight loss can reduce fatty tissue in the back of the throat and decrease snoring.
• Sleep on your side – If you sleep on your back and snore mildly, sleeping on your side might cure your snoring altogether.
• Elevate your head – Try elevating the head of your bed four inches, which may make breathing easier and encourage your tongue and jaw to move forward. Sleep without a pillow (or with a specially designed pillow) to make sure your neck muscles are not crimped.
• Avoid certain foods, alcohol and medications before bed – Alcohol and certain medications increase relaxation of throat and tongue muscles, which makes snoring more likely. Sleeping pills or tranquilizers may help you sleep, but they will also relax your muscles and increase the chance of snoring. High-fat milk products or soy milk products cause mucus to build up in the throat which can lead to snoring as well.
• Clear your nasal passages – Having a stuffy nose makes inhalation difficult and creates a vacuum in your throat, which in turn leads to snoring. Nasal decongestants or nasal strips may help you breathe more easily while sleeping. Antihistamines can help with allergies, but will relax throat muscles and cause snoring.

If these remedies don’t  help then you could be a candidate for an acrylic oral appliance that we make which keeps the lower jaw pushed forward and thereby opening the soft palate and keeping the tongue in a more forward position.  This is an effective approach to snoring cessation and will also help with those relationships that have been effected by this condition.

Dr. Antolak practices comprehensive, implant and cosmetic dentistry in Shelby Township, Michigan.  To contact the office call (586)247-3500 or email at DrAntolak@TheGentleDentist.com.

At www.Thegentledentist.com, Dr Robert Antolak treats snoring and obstructive sleep apnea using oral appliances. These devices brings the lower jaw forward to open the airway to prevent the collapse of the airway to keep breathing easier. If you suffer from
1. snoring, gasping or jerking during sleep
2. Headaches or sore throat
3. Suffer from excessive daytime sleepiness or difficulty concentrating
4. Have cardiovascular problems including high blood pressure, strokes, heart attacks or heart failure you may have apnea.
If you are using a Cpap machine but find it cumbersome and don’t use it then oral appliance therapy can be for you. Call Dr. Antolak in shelby township Michigan, macomb county at 586.247.3500. He specializes in cosmetic, implants, and general dentistry in a relaxed and gentle atmosphere.

One of my patients just recently lost their 35 year old son with a sudden massive heart attack. upon autopsy it was revealed that the heart attack was caused secondary to obstructive sleep apnea. I told his mother that I would write this article to get the information to the public and hopefully save a life. To make sure all of the informaiton I used was accurate I am using information from a health guide website.

Symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea include:

• Loud snoring
• Periods of not breathing (apnea)
• Awakening not rested in the morning
• Abnormal daytime sleepiness, including falling asleep at inappropriate times
• Morning headaches
• Recent weight gain
• Limited attention
• Memory loss
• Poor judgment
• Personality changes
• Lethargy

In normal conditions, the muscles of the upper part of the throat keep this passage open to allow air to flow into the lungs. These muscles usually relax during sleep, but the passage remains open enough to permit the flow of air. Some individuals have a narrower passage, and during sleep, relaxation of these muscles causes the passage to close, and air cannot get into the lungs. Loud snoring and labored breathing occur. When complete blockage of the airway occurs, air cannot reach the lungs.

For reasons that are still unclear, in deep sleep, breathing can stop for a period of time (often more than 10 seconds). These periods of lack of breathing, or apneas, are followed by sudden attempts to breathe. These attempts are accompanied by a change to a lighter stage of sleep. The result is fragmented sleep that is not restful, leading to excessive daytime drowsiness.

Older obese men seem to be at higher risk, though as many as 40% of people with obstructive sleep apnea are not obese. Nasal obstruction, a large tongue, a narrow airway and certain shapes of the palate and jaw seem also to increase the risk. A large neck or collar size is strongly associated with obstructive sleep apnea. Ingestion of alcohol or sedatives before sleep may predispose to episodes of apnea.

The classic picture of obstructive sleep apnea includes episodes of heavy snoring that begin soon after falling asleep. The snoring proceeds at a regular pace for a period of time, often becoming louder, but is then interrupted by a long silent period during which no breathing is taking place (apnea). The apnea is then interrupted by a loud snort and gasp and the snoring returns to its regular pace. This behavior recurs frequently throughout the night.

During the apneas, the oxygen level in the blood falls. Persistent low levels of oxygen (hypoxia) may cause many of the daytime symptoms. If the condition is severe enough, pulmonary hypertension may develop leading to right-sided heart failure or cor pulmonale.

Symptoms

It is important to emphasize that often, the person who has obstructive sleep apnea does not remember the episodes of apnea during the night. The predominant symptoms are usually associated with excessive daytime sleepiness due to poor sleep during the night. Often, family members, especially spouses, witness the periods of apnea. Symptoms that may be observed include:

Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:

• Hyperactive behavior, especially in children
• High blood pressure
• Automatic behavior (performing actions by rote)
• Leg swelling (if severe)

Signs and tests

A complete medical history taken by a health care practitioner is the most important diagnostic tool. Often, a survey that asks a series of questions about daytime sleepiness, sleep quality and bedtime habits is given.

A physical examination of the mouth, neck and throat (oropharynx) is important to detect abnormalities that may predispose.

Tests may include:

• Sleep studies
• An ECG to show arrhythmias during sleep
• An arterial blood gases to show low oxygen or elevated carbon dioxide
• Echocardiogram to evaluate the function of the heart
• Thyroid function studies

Treatment

The goal is to keep the airway open to prevent apneas during sleep.

Weight management (or intentional weight loss) and avoiding alcohol and sedatives at bedtime may relieve sleep apnea in some individuals. If these measures are unsuccessful in stopping sleep apnea, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), a form of mechanical breathing assistance that involves the use of a specially-designed mask worn over the nose or nose and mouth at night, may be prescribed.

Mechanical dental devices inserted into the mouth at night to keep the jaw forward may help relieve symptoms due to mild to moderate cases. The benefit is that it is convenient and reversible. This posturing of the lower jaw more forwary opens the airway and allows for easier breathing

Surgery to remove excess tissue at the back of the throat (uvulopalatopharyngoplasty or UPPP), to remove enlarged tonsils or adenoids ( tonsillectomy), or to create an opening in the trachea to bypass the obstructed airway during sleep (tracheostomy), may be helpful if anatomical causes are present. In some people, surgery to remove blockage of the nose or upper throat may relieve sleep apnea. These options are more aggressive surgical procedures.

Please give us a call at 586-247-3500 if you have any questions or if you or your loved one would like to be evaluated to prevent this tragic situation from happening in your life. You can also email us at DrAntolak@thegentledentist.com

Dr. Antolak treats his dental patients in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere where you are treated like a guest in the home.  His motto is to “relax while we take care of your smile”. He specializes in cosmetic dentistry, implant dentistry and general dentistry using sedation dentistry if necessary for his high fear patients. He has been treating patients for the past 21 years and is located in Shelby Township, Macomb county Michigan