Sleep Medicine
Sleep is a very important aspect of maintaining a healthy life. Human beings spend 1/3 of their lives sleeping. It was earlier believed that sleep is a passive or inactive state, that follows a period of waking. However, it is now known through sleep studies that the electrical activity and rate of blood flow of the brain during certain phases of sleep is the same as during waking. It is also understood that sleep is a time for the body to perform a, so called, ‘All Systems Check’ and initiate maintenance and repair, wherever needed. A healthy adult needs a minimum of 7-8 hours of sleep a day to accomplish this.
There are many sleep disorders that prevent humans from getting a deep sleep, which is restful and rejuvenating, the top most ones being Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).
Yes, you read it right: snoring is a Sleep ‘DISORDER’ and can be life-threatening because of its close association with OSA.
Sleep is a very important aspect of maintaining a healthy life. Human beings spend 1/3 of their lives sleeping. It was earlier believed that sleep is a passive or inactive state, that follows a period of waking. However, it is now known through sleep studies that the electrical activity and rate of blood flow of the brain during certain phases of sleep is the same as during waking. It is also understood that sleep is a time for the body to perform a, so called, ‘All Systems Check’ and initiate maintenance and repair, wherever needed. A healthy adult needs a minimum of 7-8 hours of sleep a day to accomplish this.
There are many sleep disorders that prevent humans from getting a deep sleep, which is restful and rejuvenating, the top most ones being Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).
Yes, you read it right: snoring is a Sleep ‘DISORDER’ and can be life-threatening because of its close association with OSA.
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OSA is caused by an obstruction of the upper airway when one lies down to sleep. This obstruction may be caused by a thick neck, enlarged adenoids or tonsils, retrognathic or small lower jaw, deep palatal vault, large tongue, or obesity. Undiagnosed OSA, has been shown to be associated with a range of serious comorbidities:
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OSA may present itself in one of the following clinical symptoms:
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WITHOUT MAD WITH MAD
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OSA can be life threatening if the episodes of interrupted breathing exceed 30 per hour.
The Gold Standard for treatment of OSA, in the field of medicine, is a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine. However, as you can appreciate from the image below, it is not very well accepted by most patients.
We, at Life Essential Dental, offer a more user friendly alternative. A Mandibular Advancement Device/MAD is simply a devise that holds your lower jaw and consequently your tongue forward when you lie down to sleep, thus preventing them from obstructing the airway. MAD is a non-invasive, and invisible appliance that has been proven to be very effective in treating obstructive sleep apnea. However, this treatment can only be administered by a dentist trained in Sleep Medicine.
In case you present with any of the above mentioned symptoms or conditions, schedule a Sleep Assessment with Dr. Rita Sikka today itself. It could save your life!
The Gold Standard for treatment of OSA, in the field of medicine, is a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine. However, as you can appreciate from the image below, it is not very well accepted by most patients.
We, at Life Essential Dental, offer a more user friendly alternative. A Mandibular Advancement Device/MAD is simply a devise that holds your lower jaw and consequently your tongue forward when you lie down to sleep, thus preventing them from obstructing the airway. MAD is a non-invasive, and invisible appliance that has been proven to be very effective in treating obstructive sleep apnea. However, this treatment can only be administered by a dentist trained in Sleep Medicine.
In case you present with any of the above mentioned symptoms or conditions, schedule a Sleep Assessment with Dr. Rita Sikka today itself. It could save your life!
CPAP MACHINE
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MANDIBULAR ADVANCEMENT DEVICE
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