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Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea, accompanied by snoring, is a sleep disorder characterized by having one or more pauses in breathing or shallow breaths during sleep.  Each pause in breathing, called an apnea, can last from a few seconds to minutes, and may occur 5 to 30 times or more an hour. 

Causes of Sleep Apnea:

• Central.  Breathing is interrupted by the lack of respiratory effort in central sleep apnea; 0.4% of cases are this type.
• Obstructive.  Breathing is interrupted by a physical block to airflow despite respiratory effort; 84% of cases are this type.
• Complex.  In complex (or "mixed") sleep apnea, there is a transition from central to obstructive features during the events themselves; 15% of cases are this type.

Regardless of cause or type, the individual with sleep apnea is rarely aware of having difficulty breathing, even upon awakening.  Sleep apnea is recognized as a problem by others witnessing the individual during episodes or is suspected because of its effects on the body (sequelae).  Symptoms may be present for years (or even decades) without identification, during which time the sufferer may become conditioned to the daytime sleepiness and fatigue associated with significant levels of sleep disturbance.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Sleep apnea is diagnosed with an overnight sleep test called a polysomnogram, or a "sleep study".  Dentists can prescribe Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT).  The oral appliance is a custom-made mouthpiece that shifts the lower jaw forward, opening up the airway.  OAT is usually successful in patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea.  OAT is a relatively new treatment option for sleep apnea in the United States, but it is much more common in Canada and Europe.