Sleep Apnea Symptoms: Winning the Hide-And-Seek Game may not be tough

You could call sleep apnea a treacherous ailment considering that most of the tell-tale sleep apnea symptoms are known to play hide-and-seek with the patient, since they appear mostly during sleep. This ends up making it doubly difficult for him or her to report the condition and get proper treatment.

But there is still hope at the end of the tunnel. This article will elaborate on how to get quick and assured relief from these elusive signs with the use of appropriate apnea devices.

Signs: are they too tough to catch?

The elusive nature of the manifestations of this disorder it one of the most undiagnosed and untreated sleep disorders. It usually takes the bed partner to notice the distress that the patient is experiencing before seeking medical advice.

This does not meant the symptoms remain in hiding forever. Sooner or later they become apparent to the patient.

What the bed partner notices:

- Persistent snoring problem that does not respond to any conventional remedy.

- Restlessness during sleep; patient wakes up frequently during the night.

- Snoring is interspersed with intermittent moments of silence when the patient seems to stop breathing.

- Choking and gasping during sleep

Signs noticed by the sufferer:

- Rapid and unexplained weight gain

- Excessive daytime sleepiness

- Mood deterioration including depression, irritability

- Frequent urination at night

- Finding it tough to concentrate

- Bad memory

- Lack of appetite

Sleep apnea devices - viable option for quick relief

Every apnea patient is desperate to breathe normally as quickly and as efficiently as possible. To meet this need, there is nothing as effective and reliable as CPAP or Continuous Positive Airway Pressure therapy, for the management of mild to moderate conditions. It primarily provides artificial ventilation by keeping the airway open on a continuous basis during sleep and does not allow it to collapse.

However, this therapy is not found suitable by many patients. For them, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine suggests the use of apnea dental devices. Also known as dental appliances, such methods provide quick and sustained relief from breathing distress during sleep.

Patients are currently using two types of dental appliances:

- Mandibular (related to jaw) Advancement Device or MAD: Such an appliance brings the lower jaw forward and keeps it down slightly. This keeps the air passage open during sleep. They look like mouth guards used during sporting events.

- Tongue Retaining Device or TRD: This splint retains the tongue back and prevents it from falling back during sleep and keeps the airway open.

Points to note:

- Such appliances are known to bring relief not just in mild to moderate cases but also in severe conditions as well.

- Expected reduction of risks for developing hear diseases, even stroke, which are two likely consequences of this disorder.

- A physician and a dentist should examine the patient for compatibility before such an appliance is used.

Working principle

Repositioning the lower jaw, tongue, soft palate and the hyoid bone is the primary function of these appliances. This action prevents the tongue and jaw from slipping backwards during sleep. Soft tissues are toughened to prevent collapse and blockage.

One needs to feel completely comfortable after wearing such appliances. Thus to get the best fit, it is better to have them custom-made by an orthodontist, for perfect matching with the inner contours of the mouth.

Relief is on the way...

One of the assured means to get quick and sustainable relief from the disabling sleep apnea symptoms is to opt for dental appliances. They keep the airway open during sleep so that you can expect to breathe normally and get a good nights' rest.