OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA EXPLAINED By Avi Weisfogel

Introduction Avi Weisfogel leads Dental Sleep Masters in South Orange,

New Jersey, in providing treatments for sleep disturbances and their underlying conditions. In addition, Avi Weisfogel’s practice maintains affiliations with dentists and physicians to offer oral appliance therapy as a treatment for sleep conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which prevents air from reaching the lungs as the patient inhales.

Patients with OSA cannot fill their lungs with air due to obstructions in the throat caused by the tongue and a collapsed soft pallet. The tongue falls back against the soft pallet and the soft pallet and uvula collapse against the back of the throat. This causes breathing to alternatively stop and start during sleep as throat muscles sporadically clench and relax.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Snoring is a primary symptom of OSA, and patients with the

disorder may gasp or experience body jerks as breathing resumes, which interferes with sound sleep and may reduce oxygen flow to vital organs. Other symptoms include morning headaches, insomnia, chest pain or dry mouth upon waking, and waking abruptly due to shortness of breath.

When left untreated, OSA can lead to a multitude of health complications. Drops in blood oxygen levels can cause cardiovascular problems, and repeatedly waking during the night prevents patients from receiving proper rest. Repeated waking can cause severe daytime fatigue that makes patients fall asleep at inopportune times. Surgery and certain medications may also make the condition worse.

Conclusion Medical professionals have yet to identify what causes OSA to

manifest in some patients and not in others. However, certain risk factors may increase an individual’s chances of developing OSA, such as chronic nasal congestion, excess overweight, diabetes, and smoking. Those with a family history of sleep apnea also possess a higher chance of developing it.

Treatments include application devices such as mouthpieces designed to keep the throat open, medication, and positive airway pressure therapy, which delivers air pressure through an apparatus that fits over the nose and mouth during sleep. Doctors may also advise lifestyle changes that focus on losing weight, quitting smoking, or creating an exercise regimen.