Sleep Apnea

Sleep is that golden chain which ties health and our bodies together.

- Thomas Dekker

Sleep Apnea

Do You Have Trouble Sleeping?

Are you struggling to get a restful night’s sleep? Do you feel fatigued and drowsy during the day? Has anyone every told you that you snore a lot, or you sometimes stop breathing in your sleep? It could be you are suffering from sleep apnea; a serious and potentially life-threatening condition which is far more common than generally understood.

Sleep Apnea

Overview

Obstructive sleep apnea, along with insomnia, is one of the most frequent nighttime disorders and it affects between 4 and 6% of the population. In fact, it’s estimated as many as 18 million Americans are suffering from sleep apnea.

 

Sleep Apnea Explained

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), also referred to as obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea (OSAH), is a disorder which causes a person to suddenly stop breathing while sleeping. Although OSA is caused by an obstruction in the upper airway system, there are many other factors which increase a person’s predisposition to it.

Snoring and apnea are usually not noticed by the patient themselves, but it results in restless sleep and is related to the onset of fatigue and drowsiness during the day.

Further to this, the lack of proper ventilation in the upper airway system is often associated with low oxygen levels in the blood which can aggravate or cause arterial hypertension, ischemic heart disease, cardiac arrhythmias or strokes.

New studies have also suggested sleep disorder is linked to small brain lesions and a symptomless form of stroke, known as silent stroke.

Symptoms

Sleep Apnea Symptoms

Usually the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea appear gradually and worsen with age. The presence of fragmented sleep and low blood oxygen levels which occur during the distinct breathing stoppages (apnea) cause the following symptoms:

  • Excessive sleepiness or daytime drowsiness
  • Loud snoring which interrupts sleep, accompanied by shortness of breath and suffocation, caused by the lack of air during sleep
  • Disrupted sleep – Nocturnal awakenings accompanied by body movements
  • Lack of concentration and memory loss
  • Morning headaches and irritability
  • Chronic fatigue

Causes

Causes of Sleep Apnea

Although obstructive sleep apnea is caused by an obstruction in the upper airway system, there are other precipitating factors:

  1. Obesity and being overweight are the main risk factors because the accumulation of fat around the pharynx makes it more collapsible
  2. Old age and being male
  3. Tobacco, alcohol and sedatives for their depressive action on the respiratory system
  4. Postural factors, such as sleeping face up
  5. Physical attributes such as a short neck or small jaw
  6. Changes in the oropharynx, as presented by a large tongue (macroglossia), a soft descended palate, or having large and swollen tonsils
  7. Metabolic alterations as presented by hypothyroidism, acromegaly, and metabolic syndrome
Risk Factors for Sleep Apnea

Early recognition and treatment of sleep apnea is important as it may be associated with:

  1. Irregular heartbeat
  2. High blood pressure
  3. Heart attack
  4. Stroke
  5. Daytime sleepiness
  6. Increased risk of motor vehicle accidents

Diagnosing & Treating

Diagnosing And Treating Sleep Apnea

A complete history and careful physical examination are paramount in assessing whether sleep apnea is present in a patient with snoring symptoms. The history and examination results also guide the clinician in deciding whether a nocturnal polysomnogram is necessary and in determining appropriate treatment.

The patient’s risk factors should be assessed, including male gender, increase in weight, ingestion of alcohol, allergies, nasal obstruction, trauma, use of muscle-relaxing medications and smoking. An assessment of daytime functioning including concentration levels, work performance, and sleepiness, should be documented. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale, (see below) which assesses the level of daytime sleepiness, has been used to distinguish primary snoring from obstructive sleep apnea–hypopnea syndrome.

Treatment

Non-Surgical
Oral appliances

Once a patient has been diagnosed with a OSAHS condition, oral appliance therapy (OAT) may be a non-surgical option for treatment. These appliances can be very effective for patients who suffer from snoring and mild to moderate sleep apnea. Oral appliances may also be recommended for the severe sleep apnea patients if they are unable to tolerate CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure). Although oral appliances have a similar appearance to mouth guards, they require specific design, fabrication and customized fitting to meet individual patient needs for proper forward re-positioning of the lower jaw and tongue to improve the opening of the upper airway during sleep for successful treatment results. These appliances require follow-up and monitoring. At ARID, together with our affiliated sleep centers, we use advanced technology and specialized equipment to measure the airway, predict improvement, and determine appliance design and monitor success and efficacy of the oral appliance.

Surgical
Upper Jaw Surgery

Upper jaw surgery, also known as upper jaw orthognathic surgery, maxillary advancement, or a LeFort 1 osteotomy, is a common procedure for patients who have trouble breathing, an underbite, or facial asymmetry. While upper jaw surgery can seem intimidating, the process is safe and patients report about as much discomfort as having their wisdom teeth removed, a small price to pay for a lifetime of better breathing, better chewing and higher confidence.

Lower Jaw Surgery

Lower Jaw Surgery, also known as mandibular surgery, or a bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy (BSSRO), is a safe, effective procedure for patients with sleep apnea, overbite, or facial asymmetry. Like upper jaw surgery, lower jaw orthognathic surgery is an effective treatment that can help you achieve better health, an attractive smile and better bite for the rest of your life.

Orthognathic Surgery Recovery

The recovery process for jaw surgery usually involves a modified diet and one to three weeks off work or school. Numbness will occur after surgery, but sensation usually returns, and the numbness helps avoid discomfort during orthognathic surgery recovery. Discomfort can also be managed through medication, and jaws are almost never wired shut. Patients are usually prescribed a liquid diet for the first six weeks after surgery, and then a soft, no-chew diet for another six weeks.  After the twelve weeks you will be able to eat anything you want, and chew better than ever before.

Overview

Obstructive sleep apnea, along with insomnia, is one of the most frequent nighttime disorders and it affects between 4 and 6% of the population. In fact, it’s estimated as many as 18 million Americans are suffering from sleep apnea.

 

Sleep Apnea Explained

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), also referred to as obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea (OSAH), is a disorder which causes a person to suddenly stop breathing while sleeping. Although OSA is caused by an obstruction in the upper airway system, there are many other factors which increase a person’s predisposition to it.

Snoring and apnea are usually not noticed by the patient themselves, but it results in restless sleep and is related to the onset of fatigue and drowsiness during the day.

Further to this, the lack of proper ventilation in the upper airway system is often associated with low oxygen levels in the blood which can aggravate or cause arterial hypertension, ischemic heart disease, cardiac arrhythmias or strokes.

New studies have also suggested sleep disorder is linked to small brain lesions and a symptomless form of stroke, known as silent stroke.

Want to know about how we can help you?

Symptoms

Sleep Apnea Symptoms

Usually the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea appear gradually and worsen with age. The presence of fragmented sleep and low blood oxygen levels which occur during the distinct breathing stoppages (apnea) cause the following symptoms:

  • Excessive sleepiness or daytime drowsiness
  • Loud snoring which interrupts sleep, accompanied by shortness of breath and suffocation, caused by the lack of air during sleep
  • Disrupted sleep – Nocturnal awakenings accompanied by body movements
  • Lack of concentration and memory loss
  • Morning headaches and irritability
  • Chronic fatigue

Want to know about how we can help you?

Causes

Causes of Sleep Apnea

Although obstructive sleep apnea is caused by an obstruction in the upper airway system, there are other precipitating factors:

  1. Obesity and being overweight are the main risk factors because the accumulation of fat around the pharynx makes it more collapsible
  2. Old age and being male
  3. Tobacco, alcohol and sedatives for their depressive action on the respiratory system
  4. Postural factors, such as sleeping face up
  5. Physical attributes such as a short neck or small jaw
  6. Changes in the oropharynx, as presented by a large tongue (macroglossia), a soft descended palate, or having large and swollen tonsils
  7. Metabolic alterations as presented by hypothyroidism, acromegaly, and metabolic syndrome
Risk Factors for Sleep Apnea

Early recognition and treatment of sleep apnea is important as it may be associated with:

  1. Irregular heartbeat
  2. High blood pressure
  3. Heart attack
  4. Stroke
  5. Daytime sleepiness
  6. Increased risk of motor vehicle accidents

Want to know about how we can help you?

Diagnosing & Treating

Diagnosing And Treating Sleep Apnea

A complete history and careful physical examination are paramount in assessing whether sleep apnea is present in a patient with snoring symptoms. The history and examination results also guide the clinician in deciding whether a nocturnal polysomnogram is necessary and in determining appropriate treatment.

The patient’s risk factors should be assessed, including male gender, increase in weight, ingestion of alcohol, allergies, nasal obstruction, trauma, use of muscle-relaxing medications and smoking. An assessment of daytime functioning including concentration levels, work performance, and sleepiness, should be documented. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale, (see below) which assesses the level of daytime sleepiness, has been used to distinguish primary snoring from obstructive sleep apnea–hypopnea syndrome.

Want to know about how we can help you?

Treatment

Non-Surgical
Oral appliances

Once a patient has been diagnosed with a OSAHS condition, oral appliance therapy (OAT) may be a non-surgical option for treatment. These appliances can be very effective for patients who suffer from snoring and mild to moderate sleep apnea. Oral appliances may also be recommended for the severe sleep apnea patients if they are unable to tolerate CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure). Although oral appliances have a similar appearance to mouth guards, they require specific design, fabrication and customized fitting to meet individual patient needs for proper forward re-positioning of the lower jaw and tongue to improve the opening of the upper airway during sleep for successful treatment results. These appliances require follow-up and monitoring. At ARID, together with our affiliated sleep centers, we use advanced technology and specialized equipment to measure the airway, predict improvement, and determine appliance design and monitor success and efficacy of the oral appliance.

Surgical
Upper Jaw Surgery

Upper jaw surgery, also known as upper jaw orthognathic surgery, maxillary advancement, or a LeFort 1 osteotomy, is a common procedure for patients who have trouble breathing, an underbite, or facial asymmetry. While upper jaw surgery can seem intimidating, the process is safe and patients report about as much discomfort as having their wisdom teeth removed, a small price to pay for a lifetime of better breathing, better chewing and higher confidence.

Lower Jaw Surgery

Lower Jaw Surgery, also known as mandibular surgery, or a bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy (BSSRO), is a safe, effective procedure for patients with sleep apnea, overbite, or facial asymmetry. Like upper jaw surgery, lower jaw orthognathic surgery is an effective treatment that can help you achieve better health, an attractive smile and better bite for the rest of your life.

Orthognathic Surgery Recovery

The recovery process for jaw surgery usually involves a modified diet and one to three weeks off work or school. Numbness will occur after surgery, but sensation usually returns, and the numbness helps avoid discomfort during orthognathic surgery recovery. Discomfort can also be managed through medication, and jaws are almost never wired shut. Patients are usually prescribed a liquid diet for the first six weeks after surgery, and then a soft, no-chew diet for another six weeks.  After the twelve weeks you will be able to eat anything you want, and chew better than ever before.

Want to know about how we can help you?

Epworth Sleepiness Test

Epworth Scoring

To complete the Epworth test, please give yourself a rating of 0-3 for how likely you are to doze in each situation.

0 = no chance of dozing

1 = slight chance of dozing

2 = moderate chance of dozing

3 = high chance of dozing

Activities

Sitting and reading =

Watching TV =

Sitting inactive in a public place (e.g. theater or a meeting) =

As a passenger in a car for an hour without a break =

Lying down to rest in the afternoon when circumstances permit =

Sitting and talking to someone =

Sitting quietly after a lunch without alcohol =

In a car, while stopped for a few minutes in traffic =

Scoring

If your scores for the above total 6 or greater, we highly recommend you be assessed by one of our board certified specialists.

Sleep Evaluation

You should be evaluated by one of our trained staff and Board Certified Specialists to see if you meet one of the following OR the results of your Epworth Sleepiness Test (below) are 6 or greater.

  1. You do not wake up feeling refreshed and rested
  2. You often experience morning headaches
  3. You or your sleep partner identify that you choke, gasp or stop breathing during sleep

Booking Your Sleep Apnea Consultation

ARID Newton-Wellesley has a specialty team made up of board-certified specialists who can help you to overcome your sleep apnea. We understand your frustration in being unable to sleep comfortably, and we encourage you to book a consultation with us to find out how we can help you regain your sleep.

Let's Talk

Our Friendly Team Looks Forward to Meeting You

  • 781.237.1190
  • info@aridnw.com
  • 180 Linden Street
    3rd Floor Suite 8C

    Wellesley Massachusetts 02482
  • MondayBy appointment only
    TuesdayBy appointment only
    WednesdayBy appointment only
    ThursdayBy appointment only
    FridayBy appointment only
    SaturdayBy appointment only