Mark A. Kleive DDS Blog
Posts for the ‘Snoring and Sleep Apnea’ Category
Snoring & Sleep Apnea Myths
Posted on July 5, 2010 11:04PM in Snoring and Sleep Apnea
People who snore are often the butt of jokes, but the condition is no laughing matter. In extreme cases, snoring can lead to sleep apnea, a dangerous affliction that affects as many as 2 million Americans. A large majority of sufferers have not seen a dentist or physician for diagnosis and treatment, largely because there are so many myths surrounding snoring and sleep apnea:
- Myth #1: Only overweight men snore or have sleep apnea.
Although obesity can exacerbate the condition, there are plenty of healthy women with narrow airways that suffer from obstructive sleep apnea.
- Myth #2: The problem will go away if I ignore it.
This couldn’t be further than the truth. When left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to escalated blood pressure, heart failure, diabetes, insomnia, weight gain, and other serious complications.
- Myth #3: I’ll wake up immediately if I stop breathing during sleep.
Although sufferers are often jerked suddenly awake after periods of apnea, it doesn’t always happen instantaneously. Cessations of breathing can last anywhere from 10 seconds to a couple of minutes, up to 30 times per hour. You may not even be aware of the frequency of length of the episodes.
- Myth #4: There’s nothing I can do about it.
There are several different treatments for snoring and sleep apnea. Although severe cases may require more extreme solutions, most mild to moderate conditions can be remedied with oral appliance therapy. The patient is custom fitted for a dental appliance that is worn like a retainer, keeping the tongue and tissues from obstructing the airway during the night.
To learn more about snoring and sleep apnea, and how oral appliance therapy can help you reclaim a restful night’s sleep, contact Dr. Mark Kleive, a renowned expert in the treatment of sleep disorders at (651) 730-7645. Visit www.RenewingSleep.com for more information on Snoring and Sleep Apnea treatment.
Using Dentistry to Treat Snoring & Sleep Apnea
Posted on February 24, 2010 3:24AM in Snoring and Sleep Apnea
“A dentist to treat my snoring? Really?”
This is a typical reaction when patients suffering from snoring or sleep apnea are referred to a dentist for treatment. It may not seem obvious right away, but a dentist is uniquely qualified to diagnose and treat these sleep-impairing conditions. During their medical training, dentists receive thorough education in the anatomy of the nose, mouth, and throat, which is where snoring and sleep apnea originate.
Many dentists work in tandem with traditional physicians and sleep therapists, but they also treat patients directly using several different methods. In extreme cases, CPAP therapy may be used, where the patient wears a mask attached to a machine that forces air into the mouth and throat, but this cumbersome treatment is usually not a realistic option. As a more practical and less intrusive CPAP alternative, oral appliance therapy has become a common method for eliminating snoring and sleep apnea symptoms.
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An oral appliance can be compared to an orthodontic retainer. The dentist takes a mold of the patient’s mouth and creates a custom appliance that fits over the teeth and tongue during sleep, keeping the tongue and throat tissues from blocking the airway. Oral appliances usually don’t interfere with the patient’s lifestyle and routines, and can be discreetly stored or brought along on trips.
Dr. Mark Kleive is an authority in diagnosing and treating snoring and sleep apnea. He and his team provide a warm, welcoming environment, treating the patient instead of just the problem. To learn more about the benefits of oral appliance therapy, visit Dr. Kleive’s snoring and sleep apnea website or contact us to schedule your no-fee, no-obligation consultation.
Snoring and Sleep Apnea in the News
Posted on July 6, 2009 7:56PM in Snoring and Sleep Apnea
Today, CNN.com covered a story about how snoring may be a danger sign of a more severe condition known as sleep apnea. It is good to see sleep apnea shown in a national spotlight. It is a often misunderstood condition.
Sleep apnea is a condition where a person’s regular breathing patterns are interrupted during sleep. This condition can range in severity from slight disruptions in the breathing pattern to severe disturbances where the person can stop breathing for a matter of minutes.
It is estimated about 18 million U.S. adults have sleep apnea. Because some symptoms manifest themselves when a person is asleep, many do not know they have sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea’s effects are far reaching and go beyond the causal annoyance of a partner.
Serious sleep apnea side effects:
- Physical and mental exhaustion
- Elevated risk of heart attacks, heart failure, and arrhythmias
- High blood pressure
- Greater chances of stroke
- Depression, hypertension, and ADHD
There are several existing treatment options for snoring and sleep apnea, but we have found in cases with mild to moderate sleep apnea, many patients can be successfully treated by using oral appliance therapy. Whether it is for your own snoring relief, or the relief of your partner, treating sleep apnea can improve your overall well-being.
Dr. Mark Kleive is highly knowledgeable on oral appliance therapy as an alternative to using CPAP for snoring. Call him at 651-776-7645, or send him an email to find out what treatment is best for you based on your mouth anatomy and the severity of your sleep apnea.
