Sleep Apnea Mouth Guard

How Sleep Apnea Relates to Bone Loss

August 21, 2018 Snoring-Aid.com Staff Stop Snoring

Sleep Apnea and Bone Loss

You probably already know that when it comes to sleep disorders, Obstructive Sleep Apnea is an issue to be reckoned with. This condition serves as a gateway to a variety of health problems, including heart failure, stroke, and cancer. On that long list is another dangerous issue – osteoporosis. This condition is basically your bones growing weak and brittle due to loss of density.

Following are some of the possible ways in which OSA can lead to bone loss.

Apneas cause the oxygen level in the body to drop (hypoxia), which can drive up osteoclast activity and consequently raise bone re-absorption. Hypoxia induces the release of HIF, which assist cells in surviving the lack of oxygen. The problem though, is that one of the hormones, HIF-1α, stimulates the breaking down of bones. This even increases risk of cancer.
OSA patients generally have a lot of inflammation, which in an indirect way is bad for their bone densities. The joints are among the most badly affected by this particular problem.
Sleep stages and circadian factors have been seen to affect bone turnover too. For instance, Leptin, or the appetite hormone, tells you when you are full. OSA patients by and large have higher levels of this hormone in their systems, which inhibit serotonin production. This too adversely affects bone density.
OSA patients are seen to have much less Vitamin D in their bodies, as well as lower bone mineral density. This sufficiently explains the higher hip fracture rates among people of this category.
OSA is known to inhibit some hormones, such as TSH, which stimulate thyroid hormone emission, leutenizing hormone (LH), testosterone, and growth hormone (GH). The last one gets secreted chiefly during deep sleep, but OSA upsets this.
OSA degrades sleep quality and shortens sleep duration, and both of these things have been shown to cause issues like mild cognitive impairment, frailty, and depression.
Prolonged use of acid reducing medications has been seen to raise the probability of fractures, by at least 35%. On the other hand, lower acid levels impede calcium absorption, which is bad for the bones.

These are just some of the ways in which OSA could cause your bones to become fragile over the long term. The best way to deal with this is through the use of snoring solutions signed off by a specialist or expert, such as a sleep apnea mouth guard, for instance.

A Useful Guide to Sleep Apnea Mouth Guard

August 6, 2018 Snoring-Aid.com Staff Snoring Solutions

Anti Snoring Remedies

Sleep apnea is a serious disorder that occurs when a person suffers from interrupted breathing during the sleep. Usually, such people tend to wake up frequently with a loud gasp because of insufficient oxygen supply to their respiratory system.

There are two types of sleep apnea: Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Central Sleep Apnea. The former one, abbreviated OSA, is more common in the United States, and it occurs when the soft tissues located in the back of the throat collapse during sleep. This will block their airways, leading to a restricted airflow. In the case of Central Sleep Apnea, the airways are not blocked totally; instead, there will be instability in the respiratory system control center in this case. As a result, the brain will not be able to signal the soft tissues and muscles to function.

Both these types of sleep apnea may result in making a person prone to a series of health issues such as high blood pressure, heart attacks, stroke, diabetes, headaches, ADHD, depression, snoring, etc. In addition to that, untreated sleep apnea will also affect the performance of a person in his everyday activities as well.

Sleep Apnea Mouth Guard

It is really crucial to take adequate treatment if a person experiences any sleep apnea symptoms. Doctors usually recommend using oral devices in order to alleviate the symptoms related to the condition. Such mouthpieces are designed in such a way that they keep the airways open when a person sleeps. However, Central Sleep Apnea cannot be treated by using a sleep apnea mouth guard because its root causes will be associated with the nervous system of the person.

There are different types of mouth guards available to treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea though, and doctors suggest them to their patients depending on the intensity of the sleep disorder. Some of the commonly used aids to tackle sleep apnea are CPAP machine, Mandibular Advancement Devices, tongue retaining device, etc. Out of this, a CPAP machine is required only when a person is suffering from an acute stage of obstructive sleep apnea.

Sleep Apnea Mouth Guard and Snore Guard

Most people have a misconception that oral devices for sleep apnea and a snore guard are the same. Actually, sleep apnea mouthpieces are considered as medical appliances and cannot be used without a doctor’s prescription. On the other hand, a snore guard is not regarded as a medical device, and hence, it does not require a prescription. In some cases, a sleep apnea mouth guard may cure snoring issues, but the reverse cannot be assured. Below are some in-depth details about sleep apnea oral appliances.

Uses and Indications

Snoring Related Issues

Sleep apnea oral devices will be a good option for people who are in the initial stages of sleep apnea. In some cases, snorers who are not suffering from OSA, travelers, etc., can also use a sleep apnea mouth guard. There are many symptoms, that indicate the necessity of a mouth guard, and some of those signs are given below.

A sore throat
Snoring
Fragmented sleep
Irritability and fatigue
Daytime sleepiness
Memory loss and frequent headaches
Lack of concentration

Benefits of Using a Sleep Apnea Mouth Guard

Compliance – One of the main advantages of using a sleep apnea mouth guard is its compliance. In the case of CPAP machines, it will be a bit challenging for people to deal with it because of multiple tubes and filters associated with it. In fact, a recent study reports that 50% of CPAP users tend to discontinue it within the first three weeks. For such people, a dental device will be a realistic option.

Handiness – Even if you are using a CPAP machine, it will be hard to use it regularly. In such cases, a sleep apnea mouth device can be your savior since it is easier to use. Usually, people who are using CPAP machines will keep an alternate dental device in hand so that they can use it as a backup. For instance, consider a situation where you need to clean, repair, or replace their CPAP machines.

Comfort – Unlike CPAP machines, mouth guards engage only with your mouth. In addition, users will not have to stress about the side effects such as acne breakouts, skin reactions, ingrown hairs, or skin reactions while using an oral device. Another advantage is that a mouth guard will not affect the nostrils, and hence, it will be comfortable to use it even if you have flu or cold.

Ease of Use and Maintenance – Since there are no tubes or wires associated with a mouth guard, you can use it easily. Likewise, you can clean it easily as well; just soak it in a cleaning solution for a certain period of time and rinse it thoroughly using normal water. Note that the cleaning solution for different oral devices may vary depending on its material composition.

Why Parents Should Be Concerned about Snoring in Children

June 9, 2018 Snoring-Aid.com Staff Snoring Remedies

Snoring In Children

It is a widely known and accepted fact that snoring is one of the most common sleeping disorders, which affect millions of individuals all over the world. A recent survey conducted by experts in the field of medical science confirmed that approximately 50 percent of all adults snore, at least occasionally. Although the percentage of kids who snore is estimated to be a lot lesser, it is still a serious matter of concern. So, if your child is suffering from snoring, then it is best to get medical assistance as soon as possible.

An experienced pediatric otolaryngologist, Brandon Hopkins, said, “On average, just one in 10 kids snore. But that doesn’t necessarily indicate a problem.” He also stressed on the fact that the major culprit behind snoring in kids is obstructive or excessive tissues in their throat. “In children, large tonsils and adenoids are often a source of bulky tissue in the throat and the snoring,” he said.

Some of the other common causes of snoring in children include:

Sleep apnea
Deviated septum
Asthma
Throat infections
Allergies

Snoring issues in children usually gets better without medical treatments. However, in some rare cases, snoring in kids might lead to some serious health issues. If that is the case, then you will need to invest in a sleep apnea mouth guard to deal with the problem. Below are a few signs that indicate that the snoring issue in your kid is a bit serious.

He/she snores on most nights
You are able to frequently hear the sound of your child’s snoring
The snoring sound is too noisy
The mouth of your kid remains open when he/she is asleep
You are able to hear your child gasping for breath when they are asleep

Speaking on snoring in kids, Hopkins said, “It’s not common in kids, but when sleep apnea is severe, it can pose health risks for the heart and lungs.” He also advised parents to “track how many nights of the week the snoring occurs and whether it happens frequently, or only occasionally, during the night.”

If the snoring issues in your kid are due to the presence of large adenoids or tonsils, then the health care provider may recommend surgery. As said, you can also use a sleep apnea mouth guard initially to see if it helps to ease the symptoms of snoring. However, consulting a doctor is always recommended.

How Does Obstructive Sleep Apnea Affect Respiration?

May 22, 2018 Snoring-Aid.com Staff Snoring Solutions

Snoring Related Issues

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a condition where you may stop breathing for a short time while you are sleeping. Usually, these pauses, which are referred to as apnea events or apnea episodes, may last from 10 to 30 seconds. People having this health condition may stop breathing hundreds of times every night, and this may lead to low oxygen levels and sleep disruption.

It is seen that OSA leads usually to restlessness, and if not treated properly, it may reduce cognitive function and cause daytime sleepiness. Apart from this, it also heightens the risks of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. Though sleep apnea mouth guard can be used to prevent snoring and limit the OSA symptoms to an extent, severe cases of sleep apnea needs to be treated. Therefore, it would be wiser to consult a doctor if you have the condition.

Apart from Obstructive Sleep Apnea, there are three more kinds of sleep apnea, namely sleep-hypoventilation syndrome, complex or mixed sleep apnea, and central sleep apnea. Regardless of which type of sleep apnea you have, timely intervention is mandatory to deal with the health issue properly. The following are the factors that may lead to higher risk of the condition.

Obesity
Having thick and large neck
Hereditary disease
If you are male
If you are 40 years or more
Presence of large tonsils
Recessed chin

In case of children, they may have this syndrome if there are large tonsils and adenoids.

How Sleep Apnea Affects Breathing?

At first, you will be breathing normally and sleeping quietly, and the air can flow easily to the lungs through the breathing tube. A little later, you might start snoring loudly; this means that your air passage is blocked partly. If the block worsens, it can affect the volume of air that enters the lungs, and hence, lead to a significant drop in the oxygen levels. This condition is referred to as hypopnea.

As time passes, your airway gets blocked completely, and when the brain gives the signal to breathe as normal, you couldn’t breathe in the air because of the blocked air passage. After a ten to thirty second pause, the brain realizes that you were not breathing, thus, it will force you to wake up. When you can wake up, you take a deep breath of air, and thereby, start breathing normally. However, the cycle may repeat, and this leads to frequent sleep interruption.

Why Do Apnea Patients with CPAP Intolerance Choose Oral Appliances?

April 30, 2018 Snoring-Aid.com Staff Snoring Solutions

CPAP Therapy And Sleep Apnea

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy is commonly used as a treatment option for people diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). The therapy involves using a CPAP machine, which pumps slightly pressurized air into the nasal airways via an elongated hose hooked to a face mask worn, while the person is asleep. This contraption is used to hold open the OSA patient’s upper airway, and prevent breathing difficulties which may last from a few seconds to a full hour.

While CPAP is a tried-and-tested method for treating sleep apnea, many people face hardships in sticking with the therapy. Most medical professionals term the difficulty to comply with it as CPAP intolerance. Often, the noise coming from the bulky CPAP machine, causing disturbance to apnea patients and bedmates, is found to be the main reason for intolerance, which leads to the failure of CPAP therapy. However, there are several other reasons for CPAP intolerance, including:

Air leaks in the face mask, which cause a dry mouth in the morning;
The person being allergic to the material of the oxygen mask used in CPAP, which often tends to be made up of latex;
Uncomfortable headgear and straps; and
Limited mobility during sleep, due to the contraption or the CPAP machine, and other connections.

If you feel that you cannot comply with the CPAP, it is advisable to look for alternative treatments for mild to moderate apnea, such as oral appliance therapy. In fact, oral appliance therapy may also serve as a remedy for loud snoring, even if you find it tough to get used to positional therapy. For instance, if you find it tough to change from a supine or prone position to a side-sleeping one on the bed – it’s best to wear an oral appliance used to treat mild to moderate OSA.

Side sleeping is suggested in positional therapy for treating apnea; most people do find comfort in opening the upper airway using a snoring remedy, but not all feel the same way. In fact, an oral appliance such as a sleep apnea mouth guard is considered as a noninvasive treatment for OSA. Such snoring mouthpieces do not cause any side effects, and work as per the same principle – of clearing the obstructions in the upper throat. Once worn, it advances the lower jaw and ensures free flow of air.

What are the Major Sleep Disorders in Infants?

April 9, 2018 Snoring-Aid.com Staff Stop Snoring

Sleep Disorders In Infants

The fact that babies will not be able to express their troubles verbally may make it really hard for parents to soothe them, especially for the first-time parents. One of the main things that is seen to trouble new parents a lot is their baby’s sleeping problems.

Although not all sleeping problems are related to medical conditions, there are some “organic causes”, which lead to the same. If so, adequate treatment is crucial, else it can be harmful to your baby as it can eventually lead to other serious infections or health issues. Some of the medical conditions that can disturb the sleep of newborns and toddlers include:

Acid reflux
Ear infections
Fever
Snoring or breathing irregularities
Urinary tract infections
Parasitic infections
Milk allergy

As most parents might not be familiar with the symptoms of acid reflux and snoring, below is how these health concerns can cause sleeping problems in infants.

Acid Reflux

Acid reflux or GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) is common in infants and plays a major role in interrupting their sleep cycle. According to a recent study, babies with acid reflux issues are likely to experience frequent arousals. In most cases, GERD will be painful and may cause colic and vomiting in the little one. Additionally, acid reflux is also a risk factor for pulmonary diseases.

GERD can be fatal at times too, and can be classified as a serious disease when it causes the following symptoms in babies.

Blood in the vomit or stool
Anemia
Resistance to feeding
Irritability
Failure to thrive

If you find any of these symptoms in your baby, avoid acidic food, and also make sure that the baby is in an upright position for at least 20 minutes after feeding. If the symptoms are extreme, it is recommended to consult a pediatrician.

Snoring

According to a recent study, around 15-25% of infants suffer from snoring. This is usually harmless, but in certain cases, it can lead to severe health issues. At times, habitual snoring in babies can be an indicator of obstructive sleep apnea. This will result in frequent arousals, irregular breathing, and restlessness during sleep. In some cases, babies with sleep apnea fail to wake up while facing breathing problems. This can be very dangerous, as it may also eventually lead to SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).

Apart from sleep apnea, snoring in babies, who are around 8 months old, may also affect their proper mental development. So, if you find your baby snoring frequently for more than a week or so, better consult a pediatrician right away.

Studies Indicate a Correlation between Sleep Apnea and Gout

February 3, 2018 Snoring-Aid.com Staff Snoring Solutions

Sleep Apnea And Gout

Recent studies have found out a correlation between sleep apnea and gout. Researchers said that persons who suffered from sleep apnea had a higher chance of developing gout.

Gout is common and is a type of arthritis that results in pain, swelling, and stiffness in the major joints of the leg such as the toe, ankle, and knee. Sleep apnea affects an estimated of 12 million people in the US alone. This large percentage of people affected with sleep apnea makes them prone to other problems associated with it such as gout.

Long and repeated interruptions during sleep are common for patients suffering from sleep apnea. This can affect many of the critical bodily functions leading to further complications if left untreated.

What is Gout?

Gout refers to painful arthritis where the individual experiences sudden and sharp pain in the leg joints. The affected area can become swollen and further movements will cause more pain making it difficult to walk. All the important joints of the leg such as the big toe, knee, and ankles are prone to gout. This is caused mainly due to the buildup of urate crystals in the affected joint.

The increased concentration of uric acid in the blood is one reason for the development of urate crystals. Excess uric acid can accumulate in the blood when it does not dissolve in blood or the kidneys fails to remove them from the body through urine. This causes the urate crystals to accumulate on the joints of the legs and even the hands causing pain and swelling.

Sleep Apnea and Gout

The studies conducted by researchers have proven that approximately 50 percent of the individuals who suffer from sleep apnea are prone to gout. The researchers have come up with several reasons, the most convincing being the deprivation of oxygen during sleep apnea.

The deprivation of oxygen in the blood during sleep apnea causes damage to the cells and tissues and a buildup of uric acid in the blood. These can cause the uric acid to turn into urate crystals and accumulate in the joints causing pain and swelling. Besides, there are other reasons as well that connect the two conditions; such as the various after-effects of sleep apnea like high blood pressure.

Treatment

Treating gout linked to sleep apnea requires first addressing the problem of the sleep disorder itself. Effective treatment options such as a mouthpiece for sleep apnea enables adequate air intake and maintain proper oxygen levels, which in turn would help in a healthy concentration of uric acid in the blood. This can prevent gout and other painful conditions from developing in the first place. However, note that gout should be treated specifically, so proper diagnosis by a specialist is essential to permanently relieve the problem.

Snoring in Kids Can be a Sign of Serious Sleep Disorders

January 8, 2018 Snoring-Aid.com Staff Snoring Solutions

Sleep Disorders In Kids

Snoring is one of the most common sleep disorders in children and it affects more than a million kids every year. It is true that most of the kids snore, but that can happen often and more loudly in some children. So if your kid is an frequent snorer, then you should take him to a health care provider and implement necessary precautionary steps to stop your kid’s snoring.

The health care provider will advise your kid to make a few lifestyle changes and to cut down dairy products from his/her diet. If that does not work, then you will need to buy a sleep apnea mouth guard for your child. These comfortable snoring aids are highly effective, comfortable, and they can help your kid to cut down or even stop snoring within a few weeks’ of regular usage.

The Severity of Snoring in Children

Several parents have a misconception that the snoring issues of their child will get resolved on its own with time. The reality is that snoring and other sleep disorders can bring severe health disorders to your kid. Results obtained from recent studies indicate that childhood snoring can be a sign of a serious health disorder.

ENT specialist, Dr. Micahel Latshaw says that, “Kids that don’t get good quality sleep are more likely to exhibit symptoms of hyperactivity. Studies have shown recently that a lot of kids are misdiagnosed with ADHD and ADD when really it comes down to they’re not getting the right sleep that they need.”

As per Dr. Latshaw, if parents are experiencing “difficulty waking them up in the morning, or teachers saying, ‘well, he’s falling asleep’ or, ‘he’s just tough to reign in’, if their grades are falling off, or if there’s symptoms of hyperactivity and just inability to focus,” then there is a good chance that your kid is struggling with snoring or other sleep-related issues.

Dr. Latshaw also added that the surgical removal of tonsils might fix the issue in most kids. However, he also stated that the treatments might vary based on the patient. “Sometimes it can be as simple as a steroid nasal spray to help open up the nose or treatment of allergies in another way,” he said. “In some cases, children outgrow their sleep apnea. As their faces and their bodies grow, the airway opens up, and they stop snoring.”

How Sleep Apnea Triggers Migraine Headaches

December 19, 2017 Snoring-Aid.com Staff Snoring Solutions

Migraine And Sleep Apnea

The presence of sleep apnea can hamper the normal sleep cycles of an individual. It can lead to a temporary cessation of breathing due to obstructions in the air passages. This can severely affect the entire health of an individual as such pauses during breathing can lead to a lack of oxygen in reaching the crucial areas of the body. The brain is one such major part of the body that requires sufficient amount of oxygen.

Interfering with the normal functioning of the brain especially during sleep can lead to the occurrence of numerous conditions, mostly headaches. However, it is seen that sleep apnea can trigger not only ordinary headaches but migraines as well. In fact, most specialists are attributing sleep apnea as a major cause of migraine. Mostly, they recommend that those suffering from migraines wear some sort of sleep apnea mouth guard to ensure free airways thus alleviating the problem.

Causes

Sleep apnea affects a person in a number of ways, mostly with the areas in the body that requires an adequate supply of oxygen. Sleep apnea and migraines are bound together by the common attribute of stress. Obstructive Sleep Apnea can lead to blockages in the airways thus leading to disturbances in sleep. This results in the individual to wake up several times during the night thus preventing him/her from having a quality sleep.

Disturbances in the normal sleep cycle can result in the individual to develop various disorders. It can considerably affect the normal functioning capacity of the brain, thus leading to lack of productivity, mood swings, and ultimately, stress. This buildup of stress can trigger migraine headaches in individuals.

Effects

Sleep apnea and the subsequent migraine developed from it can cause several harmful effects on the body. If left untreated it can result in brain damage over time and many other diseases such as hypertension, stroke, and depression. In fact, both snoring and sleep apnea can cause brain damage because of decreased oxygen and blood circulation.

The pauses during breathing can hinder the brain from getting adequate oxygen for its functioning this resulting in irreversible damage to the brain. This paves the way for risks of stroke and the development of other conditions like memory loss.

Treatment

One of the best ways to prevent migraines associated with sleep apnea is to ensure that the airways are clear of any obstructions. Numerous snoring solutions like mouth guards can position the jaws in such a way to facilitate easy breathing free of any obstructions thus offering quality sleep.

In some individuals, the nasal airways and cavities have slight deformities, which can only be treated by the right surgical procedures. Treating sleep apnea and migraines associated with it at the earliest will help prevent any complications such as stroke or hypertension.

Common Eye Disorders Linked to Obstructive Sleep Apnea

November 10, 2017 Snoring-Aid.com Staff Snoring Solutions

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Over time, numerous studies have brought to light the overwhelming effects of sleep apnea and snoring on the body. Newer studies have proven that there exists a relation between sleep apnea and the recurrence of certain eye disorders among individuals. If left untreated, sleep apnea can become complicated and cause adverse effects on the vision and other crucial systems of the body too, such as the cardiac system and respiratory system.

According to the various studies, it has been revealed that common eye disorders like floppy eyelid syndrome and glaucoma occur more in individuals suffering from sleep apnea. Besides, Obstructive Sleep Apnea has also been known to aggravate many of the eye disorders. Some of the common eye disorders linked to Obstructive Sleep Apnea are described below.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is one disorder directly linked with sleep apnea. It is a common eye disease and the key reason for vision loss on a majority of individuals. Glaucoma occurs mainly due to the damages in the optic nerves because of increase of pressure inside the eyes. For a person with Obstructive Sleep Apnea, the oxygen entering the lungs is less, which can result in a decrease of oxygen reaching the optic nerves. This can result in damages to the optic nerves thus affecting vision.

Papilledema

Yet another eye disorder linked to sleep apnea is papilledema. It is seen mostly in individuals suffering from Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Papilledema can result in the optic disc to become swollen thereby resulting in vision loss. During sleep apnea, the concentrations of CO₂ in the blood will increase that can cause the blood vessels to become dilated. This can result in an increase in pressure that can lead to optic disc swelling.

Floppy Eyelid Syndrome

Floppy eyelid syndrome is yet another eye disorder linked with sleep apnea. This condition causes the development of large and floppy eyelids in individuals that can turn inward or outward during sleep. This can affect the lubrication of the eyes, cause irritation, redness, and discharge. It is more seen in individuals having Obstructive Sleep Apnea and obesity, and leaving it untreated can cause serious vision problems.

Minimizing the effects of sleep apnea on vision is possible by addressing the root cause of the disorder by using devices like a snore guard. These devices can decrease the occurrence of sleep apnea thus causing minimum interference with the vision and eyes. Using anti snoring devices like a sleep apnea snore guard is a better alternative than a Continuous Position Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine as CPAP mask can negatively affect eye health as well. However, it is recommended to consult an ophthalmologist immediately if any such eye issues occur.

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