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SNORING And SLEEP APNEA

Learn to love the morning

With the help of Dr. Li, patients can benefit from opened airways during sleep, resulting in deep, calm rest. Patients will feel less fatigued in the mornings, and their bed companions won’t be waking up throughout the night from snoring anymore.

Treating sleep apnea will also promote the overall well-being of the body. A good night of sleep and uninterrupted breathing patterns during sleep contributes to a healthy heart, a stronger immune system, and other benefits as well.

Snoring

Snoring effects the lives of 45% of adults, but the disruptive nature of snoring often affects the lives of both snorers and their bed companions. Snoring is often a source of embarrassment, and it is not uncommon for bed partners to wear ear plugs or sleep on the couch to get undisturbed sleep. Snoring is caused by obstructed air flow through the mouth and nose. This obstruction may be caused by one or more of the following symptoms:

• Poor alignment of the jaw
• Blocked nasal passages
• Throat tissue buildup
• Long soft palate or uvula
• Weak throat muscles
• Sleeping on one’s back

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a pause in breathing during sleep that deprives the body of oxygen. Symptoms of sleep apnea include snoring, daytime drowsiness, waking up not refreshed, gasping, choking, sudden awakenings, and other sleeping problems as well.

Sleep apnea can occur anywhere from 5 to 100 episodes per hour, and can contribute to daytime fatigue, obesity, high blood pressure, low blood-oxygen levels, hypertension, diabetes, an enlarged heart, heart attacks, strokes and premature death.

Many people suffer from sleep apnea, but never recognize that they have a problem. It is estimated that 90 million people in America have sleep apnea and many are undiagnosed. Sleep apnea is easily recognized and treatable, however, and there are tests to identify and treat a variety of sleep disorders. With a simple sleep test and proven treatment, those suffering from sleep apnea can eliminate snoring sleep apnea and start living a healthier, more energetic lifestyle.

Easy Diagnosis

Doctors can diagnose sleep disorders and treat individuals suffering from sleep apnea using a polysomnograph (PSG) test. This test monitors sleep patterns and determines the severity of sleep apnea and other sleep disorders.

What is a Polysomnograph?

A PSG test identifies sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, UARS, narcolepsy, restless leg syndrome, and REM disorders. During sleep, a specialized machine records data such as snore volume, sleeping position, air flow, brain activity, chin movement, eye movement, heart rate and rhythm, oxygen levels, and chest/abdominal movement. Studying the results, doctors can diagnose and treat patients for their sleep disorder and help them benefit from a full night’s rest and uninterrupted breathing patterns.

A complete diagnosis is made by a physician at a sleep clinic in a hospital. However, Dr. Pamela Li has a home version of a PSG recorder. She uses it as a screening tool and also to verify the effectiveness of the treatment oral appliances. She uses the MediByte PSG Recorder, which is light and comfortable enough for use by adults and children, and is trusted by doctors and hospitals across North America.

Treatment worth waking up for

Treatment methods for sleep apnea include the CPAP mask (continuous positive airway pressure) which provides a stream of air pressure to keep airway passages from closing.

The CPAP mask is a proven solution to sleep apnea, but must be worn on the face during sleep, which can be uncomfortable and irritating. It can dry out nasal and oral passages, and is also known to be noisy and cumbersome.

For severe sleep apnea, the CPAP is the treatment of choice. However, for snoring or mild to moderate sleep apnea, oral appliances are a good option as stated by the AASM (American Academy of Sleep Medicine). These appliances hold the lower jaw and tongue in a better position, allowing a larger airway and reducing obstruction. There are many different types of oral appliances that can be chosen depending on comfort, durability and adjustability. For people with severe sleep apnea who cannot tolerate the CPAP, they too can wear an oral appliance.

Dr. Li provides a variety of oral appliances to treat snoring and sleep apnea. She also provides a follow up home PSG test one month after the appliance is received to verify its effectiveness.

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