What are they? – The most common device is called a mandibular advancement device or (MAD) for short. They typically look like sports mouth guard and come in several different variations. Another version that is available is called a tongue retraining device or (TRD). This is a splint that holds the tongue in place. Either device will need to be fitted and then followed up by an early check up to ensure it is working properly.

How do they work? – The MAD works by forcing the lower jaw forward and down slightly, which keeps the airway open at night. The TRD keeps the tongue in the optimal position to keep ones airway as open as possible.

What are the benefits? – The primary benefit is the significant reduction in apneas for those with mild to moderate apnea, especially if patients sleep either on their stomach or back. They do not work as well if patients lie on their side. The devices also improve the quality of sleep, and a reduction in the loudness and frequency of snoring. Doctors also appreciate the larger percentage of compliance with the dental appliances versus a CPAP.

Are there any downside? – Yes, with any treatment option, there are some disadvantages. The main one being that dental appliances are not as effective overall as a CPAP device. Cost can also be a factor, as some are more expensive than others. Some side effects include mouth and tooth discomfort, dry lips, excessive salivation, and in some cases a worsening of the apnea. In some long time users it was found that permanent changes took place in the position of the teeth or jaw.

All in all, a sleep apnea mouth guard is a viable treatment option for those with light to moderate sleep apnea. It might also be worth considering for those with any form of sleep apnea that find the CPAP device too problematic to use on a regular basis. The final judgement is left to those who must use it.

A national multi-center study from 2000 confirmed a possible connection between sleep apnea and hypertension (high blood pressure) in both older and middle-aged adults. The study, found those who suffer from moderate to severe sleep apnea were at increased risk of having high blood pressure.

The study involved more than 6,000 adult men and women age 40 or older. The presence of sleep apnea was detected using polysomnography, which simultaneously records brain waves, heart waves, blood oxygen levels, and breathing rate while a person sleeps. A team of technicians visited each participant at home in the evening and measured blood pressure and weight, as well as other health parameters, and then connected the person to a sleep monitor. The average number of breathing pauses per hour of sleep was used to measure the degree of sleep apnea.

“As a result of this study, we now believe that sleep apnea may be one of the reasons why overweight people are at increased risk for high blood pressure,” said lead author Javier Nieto, MD, associate professor, Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. “The connection is important because high blood pressure can lead to serious adverse health consequences, including heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease.”

The results of the study showed that people with more than 30 pauses per hour of sleep were more than twice as likely to suffer from high blood pressure than those with no breathing pauses. An increased risk of high blood pressure was found even at moderate levels of sleep apnea. Since sleep apnea is more common in overweight individuals; additional statistical analyses were conducted to control for body weight and waist circumference. Even after controlling for these variables, however, sleep apnea was associated with an increased frequency of high blood pressure.

The authors of the study stressed that because sleep apnea currently goes undiagnosed in most individuals, the results emphasized the need for increased awareness of this condition by both physicians and patients. Whereas the current study measured sleep apnea and blood pressure levels at the same time, subsequent studies are being planned to look at whether changes in sleep apnea levels are related to the onset of hypertension or to fluctuations in blood pressure. The authors also noted that since being overweight can cause sleep apnea, the study’s results add new urgency to the search for ways of stopping or reversing the obesity epidemic in the United States.

A study published in 2009 concluded that patients exhibiting central sleep apnea are three times more likely to have an anxiety disorder than are those with no evidence of central apnea. It was found that 66% of the patients had at least one central or obstructive apnea event during their polysomnographic examination. After adjusting for sleep parameters such as sleep efficiency, percent of REM sleep, and apneahypopnea index; demographic covariates such as sex, BMI, age, and caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco consumption; and history of medical and psychiatric disorders, the researchers determined that the odds ratio for anxiety in patients with at least one CSA event was 3.0, which was statistically significant.

Another interesting study explored why sleep apnea can trigger anxiety and panic attacks to begin with. This study by University of Iowa researchers shows that carbon dioxide increases brain acidity, which triggers a protein that is central to fear and anxiety behavior. Researchers focussed on a brain protein known as acid-sensing ion channel 1a (ASIC1a), which is abundant in the amygdala — the region deep in the brain that processes fear signals and directs fear behavior. Blocking or removing ASIC1a is known to reduce innate fear and alters fear memory in mice. Scientists have known since 1918 that increased levels of carbon dioxide can produce abnormal behavior with those known to have anxiety disorders. The study team also found that making brain tissue less acidic blunted fear behaviour produced by carbon dioxide and reduced learned fear. They go on to suggest that breathing exercises could have anti-anxiety effects as well.

Sleep on your side. Bed partners of sleep apnea sufferers already know that sleeping on ones back leads to the louder, more bothersome snoring. Sleeping on ones side will help alleviate the noise as well as better open up the airways in some people.

Use a sleep apnea pillow. Sleep apnea pillows are designed to help align the neck and spine to maximize the airflow in the upper respiratory system. They’re not the cheapest solution, but compared to using a CPAP, they might be worth the price.

Improve consistency and amount of sleep. Going to bed at widely varying times as well as cutting yourself short on hours of sleep wreaks havoc on your body. Try getting yourself in a routine that works well for you on weekdays as well as the weekend and chances are you’ll see some positive results.

Avoid drugs, alcohol, and caffeine before bed. Any substance that acts as a depressant (i.e. alcohol, sedatives,) or as a stimulant will only worsen your condition. If you must, make sure you imbibe at least 4 hours before bedtime to give your body a chance to work through it.

Eliminate allergies in your bedroom. Allergies have a pesky habit of narrowing down our airways. As a result their elimination or reduction is a necessity. A small investment in an allergen reducing device could help your sleep immensely.

Lose some weight. This is the biggest thing you can do to lesson or altogether eliminate your sleep apnea. As our body gains weight, the airways are one of the areas that are naturally affected as fat accumulates around the neck, soft palate, and tongue. Losing even a few pounds can make a huge improvement to your condition. (not to mention an overall healthier lifestyle!)

What causes baby sleep apnea? The most common cause of apnea in premature babies is a lack of a fully functional central nervous system. Other known causes include exposure to poisons and toxins as well as gastrointestinal issues. In older children it is commonly caused by a facial structure in the child that narrows the airway, enlarged tonsils, or anything else that cause excessive tissue in the upper part of the respiratory system.

What are the symptoms? The primary symptom for infant sleep apnea is that the child will stop breathing for 10 to 20 seconds at a time. This will cause the child to take on a blue appearance in the face and torso.

What are the dangers? When your infant stops breathing their oxygen level drops, their carbon dioxide level increases and their heart rate may drop severely which could result in death.

How is it diagnosed? Initial diagnosis is usually performed by a pediatrician but might sometimes be referred to a specialist. The most common test is called a polysomnogram which records oxygen levels, breathing rate, eye movement, and even records gasps for air.

How is sleep apnea treated? The treatment that is prescribed will depend on the severity of the apnea. It could be as simple as being watched on a heart monitor, medication, or in cases of OSA a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) device.

what if my child stops breathing while asleep? You should gently nudge your child and if the breathing does not resume call 911 right away. (If you are trained in infant CPR begin treatment right away and have someone else call for emergency services.) If you’re alone perform the CPR for a couple of minutes, call 911, then resume resuscitation efforts.