What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common type of sleep apnea. This condition affects an estimated 2% to 9% of adults in the United States, though it is possible that many more cases go undiagnosed. This condition tends to affect men more than women, with men being three times more likely than women to develop obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in their lifetime.


When you sleep, your body goes into a relaxed state. The muscles in the back of your throat are not meant to relax too much, however. When the muscles that support tissues in the back of your throat relax more than they should, your airway narrows and you can’t draw in sufficient air. In some cases of obstructive sleep apnea, your tongue also drops back into your airway, further blocking airflow.


Your brain recognizes this problem immediately and signals the emergency. You may start to strain to breathe, snort, gasp or choke. Because you are not breathing properly, the level of oxygen in your blood gets lower which signals to your brain that something is wrong. Finally, the emergency rouses you enough that you partially wake up and take a big breath


This problem repeats throughout the night. In fact, it can happen dozens of times per hour, and each incidence of choking is followed by your body waking up. You likely will not remember waking up multiple times throughout the night, but you will feel the effects in your body the next day.


The dual effects of fragmented sleep and low blood oxygen levels create a severe strain on your energy, alertness and overall health. Repeated oxygen starvation contributes to mental, behavioral, and emotional problems. The combination of stresses to your body can also lead to  serious medical conditions such as:

  • Hypertension 
  • Heart disease
  • Diabetes


At Breath of Life Dental (BOLD), Dr. Maryam Seifi recommends oral appliance therapy to adult patients suffering from obstructive sleep apnea. The Vivos Biomimetic Oral Appliance in particular is proven to relieve this condition permanently and enables a person to experience uninterrupted, restful sleep.

Is the Vivos Appliance Right for You?


To learn how you might benefit, contact Breath of Life Dental today to attend a free educational seminar or  schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Maryam Seifi. Call us as  (301) 822-2670 , email  us at  info@breathoflifeteam.com or submit an online request.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Symptoms


If you are worried that you might have obstructive sleep apnea, you should learn the signs and symptoms that indicate you may be dealing with this sleep disorder. The most common symptoms include:

  • Loud snoring
  • Waking up abruptly to gasp for air
  • Waking up choking
  • Headache, dry mouth, or sore throat in the morning
  • Trouble focusing throughout the day
  • Unexplained mood changes
  • Sudden irritability or short temper
  • High blood pressure
  • Low sex drive
  • Feeling exhausted no matter how much sleep you’ve had
  • Someone tells you that you stopped breathing when asleep

Should I See a Doctor about Sleep Apnea?


If you think you might have sleep apnea, you should definitely schedule an appointment with a doctor or dentist to get examined. This is especially important if you have experienced the following symptoms, or if your spouse has observed them in you during sleep: 


  • Snoring loud enough to wake yourself up
  • Loud snoring that interrupts your partner’s sleep
  • Waking up gasping or choking
  • You stop breathing intermittently when asleep
  • Excessive daytime exhaustion that interferes with your daily life


By itself, snoring doesn't necessarily mean that you have sleep apnea. The distinction between common snoring and that which can indicate obstructive sleep apnea is: does it interrupt your sleep or your partner’s sleep? If it is so loud that it wakes you up, you should bring this up with your doctor or dentist at your appointment.

 

Untreated sleep apnea can lead to more serious medical complications, so it’s important to get treatment right away. This is especially true if you have severe obstructive sleep apnea, which can be life-threatening.

Who Is at Risk of Developing Obstructive Sleep Apnea?


Obstructive sleep apnea can affect anyone no matter their age or gender. However, there are certain factors that can put you at an increased risk of developing sleep disorders like obstructive sleep apnea. These factors include:

  • Being Overweight

    If you have too much excess fat on your body, especially around your neck, it puts pressure on your airway and lungs when you lie down to sleep. The added pressure can make it harder for your body to breathe easily throughout the night and can even close your airway.

  • Older age

    Your risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea increases with age. This may be due to changes in your overall health and the strength of your muscles. If your throat muscles are weakened, they can block your airway the same as if the muscles relaxed too much. 

  • A smaller airway

    Some people have smaller airways due to genetics. In other cases, your tonsils or adenoids may be enlarged, which blocks the free flow of air. Finally, some people’s jaws do not fully or properly develop during adolescence, which can result in a smaller airway.

  • Chronic Nasal Congestion

    If your sinuses are chronically congested, you have a higher risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea. This is because the congestion itself can block your airway when you sleep. Chronic congestion may also be a sign of having a smaller airway.

  • Smoking, Drinking, and using Sedatives

    Smoking increases your risk of developing sleep apnea. This is because smoking can lead to inflammation and congestion in your throat and lungs, which blocks your airway when you sleep. Drinking alcohol and using sedative or narcotic medications can also increase your risk because these drugs relax your muscles.

  • Being Male

    Men are three times more likely than premenopausal women to develop sleep disorders like obstructive sleep apnea. Therefore, it is especially important for men to take care of their overall health to prevent this condition. 

  • Family History

    If you have a family history of sleep apnea, you are at an increased risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea yourself. This could be due to your family genetically having smaller airways or other similar physical traits.

  • Having Asthma

    Asthma attacks can increase inflammation in your airways, which can make them smaller due to the swelling. This increases your risk of developing sleep apnea since a smaller airway can more easily be obstructed.

Medical Complications Associated with Obstructive Sleep Apnea


Untreated obstructive sleep apnea can lead to serious medical complications beyond the deterioration of your health. Treating obstructive sleep apnea is necessary to protect against: 

How Can We Help You?

I Don't Sleep Well

My Child Doesn't Sleep Well

I Snore or Stop Breathing In My Sleep

I've Been Diagnosed With Sleep Apnea

I Don't Have Sleep Apnea but Have Health Issues

I’m Tired of My CPAP Machine

I'm a Professional or Healthcare Practitioner

Do I Have Sleep Apnea?
woman with jaw problems

I Have TMJ Issues

I Suffer From Headaches and Migraines

Obstructive sleep apnea prevents you from getting the deep, restorative sleep that you need to function well throughout the day. Beyond simply feeling tired, this lack of good sleep can lead to memory problems, trouble focusing, and even falling asleep at dangerous times (such as when driving). This can affect your performance at work and endanger yourself and others.

Children with obstructive sleep apnea can also suffer the effects of poor sleep such as memory problems, trouble focusing, and falling asleep in class. This can lead to them struggling with grades. Because sleep apnea can also cause irritability and short temper, children with untreated obstructive sleep apnea tend to have behavioral issues as well.

During the obstructive episodes at night, your blood oxygen levels drop because you can’t breathe. These sudden drops increase your blood pressure and put strain on your cardiovascular system. As a result, you could develop medical issues such as:


  • Hypertension (high blood pressure)
  • Heart disease
  • Coronary artery disease
  • Heart attacks
  • Heart failure
  • Stroke
  • Arrhythmia

Without treatment, this recurring stress to your heart can be fatal.


Because sedatives, narcotics, and anesthesia relax your muscles, they can cause an obstructive episode and make your symptoms worse. For this reason, people with obstructive sleep apnea are at a higher risk of complications during and after surgery. 


How Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea Diagnosed?


If you suspect that you might have obstructive sleep apnea, you should consult your general practitioner or dentist. They will ask about your symptoms and examine your throat, jaws, sinuses, etc., to see if you are likely suffering from sleep apnea.


Your doctor or dentist may refer you to a sleep center for additional testing and evaluation to diagnose the specific type and severity of your sleep apnea. You may be asked to spend the night at the center so that a sleep specialist can monitor your breathing and other bodily functions with special equipment. This equipment can track your:


  • Heart rate
  • Breathing
  • Brain activity
  • Arm and leg movements
  • Blood oxygen


You may spend the entire night at the sleep center, or you may be given a split-night sleep study. If it’s the latter type of sleep study, the specialist will monitor your bodily functions for the first half of the night. If obstructive sleep apnea is diagnosed, they may wake you up to have you use a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine for the second half of the night to ensure it resolves your symptoms.


Once the specialist has collected this data, they can determine if you have mild or severe obstructive sleep apnea and give you the official diagnosis so you can start treatment. If sleep apnea is not the cause of your symptoms, the sleep specialist will be able to determine if you’re suffering from other sleep disorders.

Ways to improve sleep apnea symptoms


If your obstructive sleep apnea is caused by lifestyle habits, there are steps you can take at home to reduce your symptoms. These lifestyle changes can also help those at a higher risk of developing sleep apnea to protect their health.


You may be able to improve your obstructive sleep apnea symptoms in the following ways:

  • Maintain a healthy weight

    Because excess body fat can constrict your airway when you go to sleep (and lead to OSA), maintaining a healthy weight range can improve your sleep apnea symptoms. If you are overweight, improving your diet and starting a simple daily exercise regimen can help you lose weight and reduce the pressure on your airway at night.

  • Drink in moderation (or not at all)

    Alcohol is a sedative that relaxes your muscles and reduces your response time. While drinking alcohol does not cause obstructive sleep apnea, it can make your symptoms worse if you already have OSA. This is because the sedative quality of alcohol relaxes your throat muscles and tongue (which can block your airway), and it also makes it more difficult for you to wake up to catch your breath. You can improve your sleep apnea symptoms by limiting the amount of alcohol you drink per day or by quitting alcohol altogether.

  • Quit smoking

    Smoking can exacerbate your sleep apnea symptoms by irritating your throat and sinuses. When you quit smoking, you can lower that risk and improve your symptoms. There are several different methods you can use to quit smoking. For more information, talk to your doctor to find the right solution for you.

  • Quit using strong sedatives

    Just like alcohol, sedatives and opiates are designed to relax your muscles. If you use these types of medications, it can worsen your obstructive sleep apnea symptoms. Limiting your use of these medications will help improve your symptoms. Talk to your doctor about reducing your dosage or getting off of these medications to help manage your sleep apnea.

  • Sleep on your side or stomach

    When you sleep on your back, gravity can pull your tongue back to rest on your palate, thus obstructing your airway. You can try sleeping on your side or on your stomach to reduce this risk and better manage symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea.

  • Treat your sinuses

    Another condition that can worsen obstructive sleep apnea symptoms is nasal congestion. If you have chronic congestion, you should talk to your doctor about using decongestants, antihistamines, or saline nasal sprays to help keep your airway clear. This can help reduce your obstructive sleep apnea symptoms.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatment


There are several treatments available for people suffering from sleep apnea. The best treatment for you will depend on your overall health, your comfort level, and the severity of your sleep apnea symptoms. The most common treatments for sleep apnea include:

  • Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)

    A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine applies continuous airflow throughout the night via a face mask. When you wear the mask, the air pressure can overcome any blocks from obstructive sleep apnea. This treatment can help relieve your symptoms and allow you to get a good night’s sleep, but it will not correct the underlying causes of your sleep apnea.

  • BiLevel Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP)

    This machine works just like a continuous positive airway pressure machine except that it provides airflow at two separate pressures—one for inhaling and one for exhaling. A BiPAP machine can be used to treat severe obstructive sleep apnea if a CPAP machine isn’t working well for you.

  • Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP)

    This surgical procedure removes tissue from your mouth and throat to widen your airway. The surgeon will remove tissue from your:


    Uvula — the soft flap of tissue that hangs down in the back of your throat 


    Soft palate — the soft arch of tissue in the back just after the roof of your mouth 


    Pharynx — the part of your throat below your sinuses and above your windpipe

  • Upper airway stimulation (UAS)

    An upper airway stimulation device is a small device that a surgeon will implant into your chest. The device will detect your breathing and use a small electrical pulse to stimulate the nerve that controls your tongue. If your tongue is blocking your airway, the device sends the signal to move your tongue out of the way so you can breathe.

  • Jaw surgery

    If your sleep apnea is caused by a small airway, your doctor may recommend jaw surgery to alter the shape and size of your lower jaw, upper jaw, or hard palate. This will help increase the size of your airway and give your tongue more room to rest properly in your mouth, which can eliminate the cause of your sleep apnea.

A Revolutionary New Treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea


At Breath of Life Dental (BOLD), we use oral appliance therapy to treat obstructive sleep apnea. Dr. Maryam Seifi has extensive training and experience in this method of treatment, and she has helped countless people to get a great night’s sleep.


Using specialized oral appliances, Dr. Seifi can treat sleep-related breathing disorders like snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. This simple therapy is used all over the world as an excellent alternative to CPAP and surgery for treating sleep apnea.


Dr. Maryam Seifi highly recommends the Vivos system of oral appliances to treat obstructive sleep apnea because unlike the common treatments mentioned earlier, the Vivos system can actually handle the underlying causes of your OSA.


What does this mean for you? It means that once you have completed your sleep apnea treatment with the Vivos system, you won’t have to use the oral appliance any longer! You will simply be able to get a good night’s sleep without worrying about choking or waking up multiple times per night.

How Does the Vivos System Work?


The Vivos system uses custom-fitted oral appliances to treat the underlying causes of obstructive sleep apnea. This appliance will change the shape and position of your jaws and palate, similar to how traditional braces reposition your teeth.


With gentle, continuous pressure, the Vivos appliance can correct your jaws’ alignment and size to widen your airway. This is a permanent treatment that will reduce your obstructive sleep apnea symptoms and enable you to get high-quality, restful sleep.


The Vivos oral appliances are removable and designed to fit comfortably in your mouth. You will wear your appliance for about 12-15 hours per day over the course of your treatment. While wearing it, the Vivos appliance will relieve your symptoms. Once your treatment is complete, you should no longer suffer the effects of obstructive sleep apnea.

Benefits of Using the Vivos Oral Appliances


Dr. Maryam Seifi recommends the Vivos System of oral appliances to her patients because it offers incredible benefits that the other sleep apnea treatments don’t.


When you wear your Vivos oral appliance as directed, you will experience these great benefits:


  • Comfortable oral appliance
  • Easy to put on and take off
  • No noisy machines
  • No constricting masks
  • All-natural pain relief
  • Nonsurgical treatment
  • Non-invasive treatment
  • Fix oral posture 
  • Permanent results
  • Improved quality of sleep
  • FDA approved


And unlike a CPAP or BiPAP machine, treatment with the Vivos oral appliance is not a lifelong commitment. Once you complete your treatment, the underlying causes of your obstructive sleep apnea will be corrected permanently.


Have more questions? Call Breath of Life Dental (BOLD) at (301) 818-2653 to schedule your consultation with Dr. Seifi and find out how the Vivos system can help you get a better night’s sleep.