Perhaps you know somebody who has participated in a sleep study. Sleep studies have become very common due to the fact that an estimated 18 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea, and as many as 80 percent of cases go undiagnosed. Today your Livonia, MI dentist, Dr. James Stewart begins a three part series on sleep studies.
Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS)
Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS)
You may have heard of sleep apnea but have you heard of upper airway resistance syndrome, or UARS? The reason not many people have heard of UARS is because it is not as noticeable as sleep apnea. For instance, people who experience sleep apnea often snore loudly, excessively, choke and gasp, and often wake themselves from sleep. UARS can occur with little noise. If someone is not making noise while they sleep, there is no problem right? Wrong. In today’s blog, your Livonia, MI dentist, Dr. James Stewart, discusses upper airway resistance syndrome, or UARS.
What Is Snoring?
Snoring happens while you’re asleep. That’s why people usually don’t know they snore. What is snoring? Snoring is the sound that is made while you breathe in air during sleep. It happens when your airway is partially blocked by your soft palate or other soft tissue in the back of your throat. As the air flows past the soft tissue it causes it to vibrate resulting in the noise we call snoring. Take your Livonia, MI dentist, Dr. James Stewart’s true or false quiz below to see how much you know about snoring.
True or False?
- T or F: Only people middle-aged and above snore.
- T or F: Pregnant women don’t snore because it would disturb the fetus.
- T or F: Zero percent of children snore.
- T or F: Everyone who snores suffers from sleep apnea.
- T or F: Men snore more than women after the age of 70.
- T or F: Drinking alcohol, smoking, or taking drugs or relaxants before bed prevents snoring.
- T or F: More adult men snore than adult women.
- T or F: Being overweight can contribute to snoring.
- T or F: Snoring is hereditary.
Answers:
- False: Anyone can snore no matter the age.
- False: Pregnancy increases a woman’s chance of snoring.
- False: The amount of children who snore is estimated to be 10 to 12 percent.
- False: Snoring does not guarantee a person has sleep apnea. Although snoring and sleep apnea have similar causes, a serious symptom of sleep apnea is the temporary suspension of breathing (an apneic event). Not all people who snore experience apneic events.
- False: Regardless of the sex, people are more likely to snore as they age. However, once men become 70 or older they are less likely to snore.
- False: The use of tobacco, drugs, alcohol, or relaxants contributes to snoring.
- True: While 40 percent of men snore, only 24 percent of women do.
- True: Overweight people tend to have more fatty tissue in the back of their throats which relaxes during sleep and results in snoring.
- True: Research indicates that snoring can run in families.
About Dr. Stewart
James R. Stewart, Jr, DDS, PC and our compassionate staff proudly serve patients of all ages from Livonia, Farmington Hills, Plymouth, Northville, Dearborn Heights, Garden City, and all surrounding communities. If you think you or a loved one is dealing with a sleep disorder, call our office today at (734) 425-4400, to schedule an appointment. At Dental sleep Medicine of Michigan, we are committed to forming trusting relationships with our patients so we can work together to achieve sound treatment and a future full of restful nights.
What You Should Know About Sleep Apnea
It may not be common knowledge, but did you know your dentist can treat sleep apnea? Sleep apnea may not seem associated with dentistry but it is often caused by an oral health condition. Sleep apnea has several symptoms and side effects that can affect your quality of life. In today’s blog your Livonia, MI dentist, Dr. James Stewart is going to address important facts that you should know about sleep apnea.
Sleep Apnea
Did you know an estimated 22 million Americans have sleep apnea? That’s not considering the other 80 percent of cases that have yet to be diagnosed. Did you know dentists can help treat sleep apnea? Sleep apnea is a condition causing you to snore loudly, stop breathing several times a night, and wake frequently. Left untreated it can increase the risk of serious health issues. Your Livonia, MI dentist, Dr. James Stewart wants to help Michigan sleep better. If you, or a loved one, are experiencing symptoms of sleep apnea, schedule a consultation with Dr. Stewart and learn more about sleep apnea and treatment options.
Things You Should Know
• Sleep Apnea is potentially dangerous to your health. It can lead to serious health issues including irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart attack and stroke. Sleep apnea prevents you from reaching REM sleep. As a result you may experience sleepiness during the day, irritability, and be at risk for falling asleep while driving.
• Symptoms of sleep apnea include: loud and excessive snoring; gasping caused by lapses in breathing; snorting; choking during sleep; and frequent wakefulness. This condition not only affects your quality of sleep but the quality of sleep of those around you.
• If your soft palate (the fleshy part at the top back of your mouth) is too soft or thick, it can obstruct your airway while you sleep, resulting in sleep apnea.
• People with sleep apnea are usually the last to know. It is often brought to their attention by their significant other complaining of their loud snoring.
Treatments
• Sleep Appliances: A sleep appliance is similar to a mouth guard. It is designed to position your jaw and tongue to allow the air to move freely through the airway at the back of your throat.
• CPAP Machine: A CPAP machine uses air pressure to keep your airways open while sleeping. It includes a motorized machine to produce the pressurized air, a face mask, and a tube connecting the machine to the mask.
There are three types of sleep apnea, obstructive, central, and complex, with obstructive being the most common form.
About Dr. Stewart
James R. Stewart, Jr, DDS, PC and our compassionate staff proudly serve patients of all ages from Livonia, Farmington Hills, Plymouth, Northville, Dearborn Heights, Garden City, and all surrounding communities. To schedule an appointment, call our office today at (734) 425-4400.
