Sleep apnea is often known as the silent killer. It is a condition that causes a person to stop breathing, sometimes hundreds of times, during the night. The lack of oxygen can cause great problems to the major organs within the body. Overtime the lack of oxygen can cause heart attack, stroke, depression and many other medical problems. Most people have fallacies about sleep apnea and think it is just a problem of those that are overweight. Actually, while being obese is a risk factor, sleep apnea can affect anyone in Maumee, Ohio.

The Types of Sleep Apnea

There are three types of sleep apnea that are identifiable. A person can be diagnosed with obstructive, central and mixed sleep apnea. Central sleep apnea is where there is a lack of help from the respiratory system to breathe when sleeping. In this type the brain doesn’t tell the lungs to breathe. However, the most common is obstructive sleep apnea and it’s all too common sign of excessive snoring. In OSA the muscles in the throat relax, and the tongue blocks the airway. Many people also have the mixed variety, which is a combination of both types.

Devices to Help People in Maumee, OH With Sleep Apnea

Many people use the C-pap machine to help keep their airways open at night. It ensures the patients is not without breath at any point during their sleep. However, many people don’t use them because they are hard to sleep with, impossible to travel with and just uncomfortable. There are new oral devices that are showing that there is no need to use the larger machines when a custom made piece can fit inside the mouth to keep airway passages open. Oral appliance therapy is rather new in the world of sleep apnea, but it shows promising results to those who suffer.

What Is Oral Appliance Therapy?

This small mouth piece looks similar to those that sports players use to protect their teeth. It goes inside the mouth and has small holes to allow breathing. It properly aligns the jaws so that air can flow freely when sleeping. It costs a fraction of the cost of a C-pap machine and is quickly becoming the choice for people in Maumee OH and other areas. Why use oral appliances over traditional methods? This small mouthpiece is:

*Is Custom Made for Each Person for a Proper Fit
*Is Easy to Transport
*Can fit in a Purse or Suitcase
*Doesn’t Require Any Electricity to Use
*Is Inexpensive To Replace

These pieces are custom made in a dentist office and ensure proper fit. There is no pain or awkward sleeping with this device in place. It’s easy to get used to and makes dealing with sleep apnea simple.

Who Gets Sleep Apnea?

While previously discussed obesity is a risk factor for this disease, there are also many other factors. Most people think of a man who snores allot as the poster child for this problem, but it can affect someone in their teen years too. Another risk factor is age. The elderly often see poor muscle tone and that includes the muscles in the throat area. When the muscles in the throat become relaxed, it can cause sleep apnea.

There is no one in Maumee, OH or any other area is immune. It is estimated that eighty percent of those who suffer with this condition go undiagnosed and untreated. Having proper treatment, like using the oral devices, can help save a life.