Sunday, July 19, 2009

Snoring and Sleep Apnea a silent Killer?

Snoring can be harmful to family relationships. Bed partners and other family members can suffer from lack of good sleep due to snoring. It has been estimated that a snorer can hit 87 decibels (the same as a greyhound bus accelerating). I have heard snoring so loud that I do not know how the person snoring could stay asleep. Snoring can also be a symptom of Sleep Apnea. Sleep Apnea is a silent killer that can lead to many other disorders including:
Heart Attack
Stroke
Diabetes
Excessive Daytime Sleepiness
Impotence
Depression
GERD
Clenching and tooth Grinding
TMJ pain
Fatigue
And more.

I believe that the side effects of Obstructive Sleep Apnea may have killed my mother, though I can't prove it.
If you are a snorer, or if your bed partner tells you that you are a snorer, you should be checked out to see if you have Sleep Apnea.
If you wake up tired or you suffer from sleepiness, poor sleep, and multiple trips to the bathroom, you may have Sleep Apnea. The diagnosis of Sleep Apnea must be is made after testing and grading.
With treatment of Sleep Apnea, we can help you manage it and help improve your quality and length of life. Depending upon the severity of the problem, and your physical makeup, there are different options to treat or manage Sleep Apnea. There are devices that can be prescribed to improve your Sleep Apnea that must be fitted by a qualified doctor or dentist. The device must be tested and modified to make sure it is in the proper position and works properly. In some cases orthodontics/orthopedics or surgery are recommended to treat Sleep Apnea.
While the C-PAP machine is the gold standard for treating severe Sleep Apnea, it is not well tolerated. There are oral appliances that can treat various levels of Sleep Apnea either alone or in conjunction with a C-PAP set to a lower pressure level. These devices must be made by a qualified dentist and tested to insure they are providing adequate improvement. Dr Neal is trained to provide oral appliances for Sleep Apnea. Dr. Neal is also able to provide some of the testing needed to screen for Sleep Apnea. Dr. Neal uses sophisticated rhinometery and pharangometry to test the size and collapsibility of your airway. He also can use a take home testing device to monitor your sleep and help determine your risk level of Sleep Apnea. Dr. Neal will then make recommendations to insure you receive the highest level of care. If it is then determined that an oral appliance is a good option, Dr. Neal can fit you with an appropriate appliance.

Dr. Neal a is a member of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine

To learn more about Snoring and Sleep Apnea, click here



Philip C. Neal DDS

2 comments:

  1. Snoring and the sleeping habbit is so bad. And i face that problem. Thats why i search on net and i get your article. It is so informative for me. For the more information visit www(dot)snoringisboring(dot)com.
    Treatment for Sleep Apnea

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  2. When it comes to sleep apnea, there are multiple things that are thought to be the cause. Sometimes, the cause is due to weight gain or obesity, while sometimes it's simply due to old age or family history. But no matter what the cause is, sleep apnea is treatable! By using products geared towards this condition, you can use your products to stop your breathing for short periods during the day. This will ensure the best chance of your weight loss, or getting a good night's rest! Medicine can also be prescribed to help treat sleep apnea, but it is preferable to use non-medicinal treatments first!

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About Me

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Born in the Midwest. Married with 6 children and 3 grandchildren. Attended Maine West High School, Harper Jr College, Northern Illinois University, the University of Illinois College of Dentistry. Practice in Crystal Lake, Illinois.