Sleep Apnea CE

Sleep apnea is a potentially deadly condition that affects more than three million people in the United States every year. While many cases are treated by the patient’s primary care physician or a sleep specialist, dental care providers can play an important role in treating this serious sleep disorder.

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Considered a sleep disorder, sleep apnea occurs when respiration stops and starts repeatedly throughout the night. An individual may wake up gasping, choking or snorting as the body struggles for air. These episodes are generally very brief, and the person may not even know that it’s happening unless another individual points it out. Since they’re unable to sleep peacefully throughout the night, they may feel tired or groggy for the rest of the day.

Causes of Sleep Apnea

There are three types of sleep apnea: obstructive, central and complex. The most commonly seen type is obstructive sleep apnea, which comprises approximately 80 percent of all cases. This occurs when the muscles that support the soft palate relax during sleep, causing obstruction to the airway. As the soft tissues collapse, snoring may occur as a result of the air trying to force its way through the extremely narrowed opening. When oxygen isn’t reaching the brain, it triggers awakening in the individual to begin breathing again, resulting in choking or gasping. Unfortunately, since breathing begins immediately upon wakening, the individual can generally go right back to sleep without being aware of the severity of the situation. Because the interruption to respiration can occur more than 30 times each hour throughout the entire night, the person won’t be able to get enough deep sleep to feel refreshed.

Central sleep apnea is less common, and it occurs when the brain doesn’t send the necessary signals to the muscles that control respiration. This can cause the individual to awaken with shortness of breath. Those affected with this type of sleep apnea often have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. Complex sleep apnea is a combination of obstructive and central.

Upcoming Sleep Apnea Webinars

Risk Factors

While anyone of any age can develop this condition, there are some circumstances that can increase an individual’s risk.

• Being overweight, male or older in age
• Having a family history of the condition, a narrowed airway, a thicker neck, nasal congestion or certain medical conditions
• Using alcohol, tobacco, sedatives or opioid medications

Potential Complications

Sleep apnea negatively impacts a person’s quality of life. Since they can’t get enough restful sleep, they’re prone to feeling sleepy or fatigued throughout the course of the day. They’re unable to concentrate or focus on tasks. They may become easily irritable, which can affect relationships both at home and at work. Depression is commonly seen in those affected with sleep apnea as well as possible behavioral issues when it occurs in children. The loud snoring can affect sleeping arrangements as partners must move to another area of the house so that they can get a good night’s sleep.

Unfortunately, when left untreated, sleep apnea can also cause damage to the body’s systems. An affected individual may develop diseases that affect the heart or the liver due to a consistent lack of oxygen. Metabolic syndrome, which may include high blood sugar, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, is commonly reported in connection with this sleep disorder.

Treatment

Continuous positive airway pressure, commonly referred to as CPAP, is perhaps the first treatment method used by health care professionals when lifestyle changes are ineffective. However, many individuals have difficulty with this treatment and may be switched to plain oxygen or other airway-pressure devices. Oral appliances may also be effective in treating sleep apnea.

How Can a Dentist Help?

Because most cases are obstructive sleep apnea that involves the soft palate, dentists are in a prime position to be of service to their affected patients. Special oral appliances can be worn comfortably throughout the night. Similar to mouthguards worn when playing certain sports, sleep apnea devices are designed to either keep the lower jaw held in a forward position or the tongue from obstructing the airway. Since these appliances aren’t as awkward or uncomfortable as airway pressure devices, patient compliance with treatment is often more successful.

Know the Symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Dental care providers who wish to expand the care they provide to their patients should become familiar with the symptoms associated with obstructive sleep apnea so that they can provide the appropriate care with an oral appliance. In addition to snoring, periods of halted respiration and other symptoms mentioned above, patients commonly experience the following:

• Insomnia or hypersomnia
• Headache or dry mouth upon awakening

It’s important to note that not all who are affected will snore and it’s hard for a patient to know if they stop breathing throughout the night unless someone else tells them. Becoming familiar with obstructive sleep apnea, its symptoms and potential complications through sleep apnea CE can allow a dentist to more effectively improve the patient’s overall health and quality of life.

If you’re a dental care provider who’s interested in implementing sleep apnea treatment into your practice, consider participating in live dental CE courses to expand your practice and provide patients with more thorough care.