As
many as 10% of working-age men suffer from obstructive
sleep apnea, a condition that causes them to repeatedly
stop breathing for as long as ten seconds at a time,
night after
night. An individual who
suffers from the condition may have continuous,
loud, irritating snoring. Obstructive sleep apnea is
a health problem that can cause serious medical complications
if not corrected.
What Causes Snoring?
Snoring is caused when air intake
is restricted or obstructed and the soft palate vibrates
during sleep. Note that snoring may be associated
with sleep apnea, a momentary interruption of nighttime
breathing. Since this interruption can keep you from
getting adequate rest at night, ask a physician to
examine you.
As people fall asleep, muscles in the tongue and
throat relax, and the tongue drops back into the
airway, narrowing it. Air moving through that narrowed
airway travels faster and causes the walls of the
throat to vibrate, producing a rattling noise commonly
known as snoring. |
Symptoms
While snoring itself isn't a serious
health problem, sleep apnea is. It occurs when the
airway is completely blocked by the soft tissues
in the back of the throat. The American Dental Association
likens the effect to what occurs when a thick milkshake
is sucked through a narrow straw; eventually the
straw collapses from the pressure.
When the airway is obstructed to such a degree, less
oxygen reaches the blood and the brain. In response,
the brain gives the "red alert" signal
to the airway to unblock itself by tightening up.
This causes the individual to gasp or snort abruptly,
restoring breathing to normal.
With obstructive sleep apnea, this cycle repeats
itself throughout the night, disrupting sleep and
leaving the individual exhausted after a night of
on-again, off-again sleep. The condition can also
cause headaches, moodiness, daytime sleepiness and
an inability to function properly. |
Health
Risks Associated
with Sleep
Apnea Include:
| - Chronic Sleepiness |
- Strokes |
- Heart Attacks |
| - Heartburn |
- Morning Headaches |
- Depression |
| - Impotence |
- High Blood Pressure |
|
Treatment :
The Thornton Adjustable Positioner® (TAP)
The good news is there is a non-surgical treatment.
There is a new solution available to those who snore
or have sleep apnea. It’s the TAP® - a
custom made oral appliance similar to an athletic
mouth guard that is worn while sleeping. Developed
with advanced dental technology, the TAP® reduces
health risks associated with sleep apnea without
the need for surgery, medications, or other more
cumbersome therapy.
The design of the TAP® is based on the same principle
as cardiopulmonary resuscitation, CPR. The airway
must be opened to allow air to pass through the throat.
A constricted or collapsed airway causes snoring
or sleep apnea. The TAP® maintains a clear airway
by holding the lower jaw in a forward position so
that it does not fall open during the night, causing
the airway to collapse. In this way, the TAP reduces
snoring and improves breathing. The device can be
adjusted by the wearer for maximum comfort and effectiveness. |
|
