I have just finished my third "lunch and learn" in as many weeks. I met with the area sleep physicians and we talked about how we could help each other to provide the best possible treatment for people who suffer from Sleep Apnea. People with Sleep Apnea often snore loudly and stop breathing many times during the night. This can be a life threatening condition. It can lead to high blood pressure, stroke and even death. Not to mention those who are injured or killed due to day time sleepiness, falling asleep while driving.
Some signs and symptoms of Sleep Apnea are:
Excessive daytime sleepiness
Loud, disruptive snoring or nocturnal pauses in breathing
Gasping or chocking for air while sleeping
Restless sleep
Depression and irritability
Morning grogginess and headaches; inability to concentrate
If you have and of the above, we can screen you for Sleep Apnea. And if there are positive signs, we would send you to your physcian or one that specializes in sleep problems. An over night sleep study is the best way to diagnos sleep apnea.
Our role in all this is to aid the Sleep Physcian. First, by screening our patients for this deadly conditiion. Secondly, to aid in treatment. In most cases, the best treatment for Sleep Apnea is a CPAP machine. It is a device worn at night that sends pressurized air into your nose thus keeping the airway open. However, some people find it uncomfortible and won't wear it. For these people, especially with mild to moderate Sleep Apnea, an oral appliance such as the Somnodent MAS works as well. It is an oral appliance, fitted by us, that opens the airway up and allows you to breath, by moving your jaw done and forward. No chords nor machines to carry around. If you have and questions, please give us a call.
Thanks,
Dr. Tom Berard
