Although the serious concern associated with sleep apnea has been outlined by medical researchers, a recent study find a relationship between sleep apnea and heart failure. During sleeping, sleep apnea patients experience bouts of decreased or interrupted breathing. This causes the brain become lack of oxygen and unable to send out the necessary messages to the respiratory muscles to inhale and exhale. As the results, the breath may stop for several seconds to possibly a minute. It could happen several times in the course of a night’s sleep.

How Does Sleep Apnea Affect The Heart?

The main function of heart is to pump enough blood per minute to supply the entire body’s need for oxygen and essential nutrients. In sleep apnea case, the patients breathing is interrupted causes the supply of oxygen is reduced. To overcome this airway obstruction, the heart has to pump harder.

This condition is very dangerous especially for patients who have heart problems. The risk of dying during a sleep apnea episode is greater. A serious damage to major organs and psychological problems may rise, too.

Is There A Solution For This Problem?

Yes, there is. Doctors are now prescribing acetazolamide, which is a mild diuretic and respiratory stimulant. It is taken before going to bed and it has been known to increase oxygen levels and to reduce this sleep problem. Because have enough sleep, the patients become less tired during the daytime and better able to concentrate.

Now, doctor are more aware to the doubling effect that is raised because the relation between heart failure and sleep apnea. Patients who are being treated for heart failure should also consult to doctor about the possibility of sleep apnea being present. Although this kind of sleep problem is very common, so many people don’t realize that they have this disorder.

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Since sleep apnea is considered as serious sleep problems, you need first to identify the sleep apnea cause. If it happens because some factors you can control, of course you can easily get rid of it before becomes something that severe for you. Otherwise, if it happens because some factors you cannot control, you could get a treatment as soon as possible by consulting to a doctor that specializes in sleep problem.

The primary sleep apnea cause occurs when you are unable to get air into your lungs while asleep and this may be because of your throat staying open making you unable to breathe, or because of a temporary collapsing of your throat which makes you wake up at night because of having become breathless.

Lifestyle

Lifestyle is one of the factors that could increase the chance of developing sleep apnea. Nowadays, so many people like to drink alcohol. Alcohol affects the part of the brain that controls breathing. This may relax the throat muscles and narrow the airway. As the results, not enough air flows into your lungs.

Smoking and taking some medicines that are taken for conditions such as allergies, insomnia, anxiety and depression also cause the same effects. As could as possible, avoid it so the possibility of airway closure during the night could be reduced.

Obesity (Over Weight)

When you have too much body fat, it can broaden to all parts of your body. Thus, the soft tissue within your mouth as well as at the rear of your throat will soon get some unwanted fatty deposits. The extra soft fat tissue causes pressure on the airway, increasing the chance that the airway passage will collapse. If this happens to you, use a sleep apnea dental device in case of mild sleep apnea will enable you to breathe continuously and thus ensure adequate and restful sleep at night.

Shape of Head and Neck

The shape of head and neck also has contribution to sleep apnea. Often, it may be shaped in a manner that causes a smaller airway size in the mouth and throat area. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) treatment is the best way to treat this and other sleep apnea causes.

Please, keep in mind that untreated sleep apnea can impact to your health overall.

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Since Continuous Positive Appliance Pressure (CPAP) can be cost-prohibitive, many people look sleep apnea dental device as alternative treatments for sleep apnea. It is relatively simple to use and less cumbersome. But, you must stick in mind that this oral device only effective for mild to moderate sleep apnea.

Types of Dental Device

Basically, dental devices are categorized by two categories which are the Mandibular Repositioning Device and the Tongue Retaining Device. From their names, you should already get the basic idea of how they work.

The first one puts the lower jaw in a protruded position to keep the airway open. Meanwhile the second type holds the tongue in a forward position, which stops the back of the tongue from collapsing during sleep. Both of them have been known to be successful in treating sleep apnea patients.

How Dental Device Help Sleep Apnea Patients?

When you’re awake, throat muscles help keep your airway stiff and open. That is why air can flow into your lungs. When you sleep, the muscles are more relaxed. This relaxation may relax too much in sleep apnea case, which narrows the airway significantly. The tongue may also collapse or fold back and cause the airway is closed and interrupting the normal flow of breathing. This is a serious condition since it may affect vital organs like brain and heart.

By using dental appliance, the movement of the tongue could be controlled. Also, it could reposition the lower jaw so the airways stay open. Sometimes, people use CPAP machine in conjunction with this mouth appliance.

Consult to your medical doctor and your dentist to evaluate your condition to know if a dental device suitable to you. Since not every dentist has experience in fitting this device, make sure to choose a dentist that specializes in sleep apnea. A poorly fitted device can cause additional problems. Continue to see the dentist on a regular basis to monitor for any dental problem that may occur.

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