Learn About Sleep Apnea Treatments in 2 Minutes

Last week, Stanford University Hospitals and Clinics posted this educational video explaining sleep apnea. In the online video, AASM Past President Clete Kushida explains the top three treatment options:

The three main treatments options are Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) , surgery and oral appliance therapy.

If you think you may have sleep apnea book an appointment at your nearest AASM-accredited sleep center.

Fox News Report: Dentist Helps Florida Couple Stop Snoring

Word is getting out about oral appliances to treat obstructive sleep apnea. A Florida couple profiled by Fox News recently endorsed the latest technology in sleep dentistry.



The oral appliance shown in the video above work best as an alternative to CPAP therapy for mild to moderate forms of sleep apnea.

Find a dental sleep specialist near you.

For regularly updates about the latest in sleep dentistry follow the official blog of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine.

Author and human guinea pig A.J. Jacobs tries snoring solutions

Author A.J. Jacobs has a snoring problem. His wife kicked him out of the bedroom because he was “as loud as an outboard motor, the tarmac at LaGuardia Airport, and a stadium full of Justin Bieber fans.”

In his new article “The End of Snoring,” published in the latest issue of parade magazine, Jacobs enlisted AASM member Dr. Steven Park to help him on his quest to gain re-entry to his bedroom.

If you've read anything by A.J. Jacobs, you'll know he tries to take on the role of human guinea pig. Like in his New York Times bestselling book “The Year of Living Biblically,” he made lifestyle changes for his story. On the advice of Dr. Park, he tries a slew of snoring solutions, from making lifestyle changes to visiting a sleep center.

Some of his attempts are comically unconventional. After reading a study about using an Australian aboriginal didgeridoo to treat sleep apnea, he orders one online.

It took Jacobs an entire day to learn how to use the four-foot long wind musical instrument. He never figured out if it worked, but he did note it kept the neighbors from snoring.

He tried tongue and throat exercises he found on the internet. The only effect there was a quip from his wife.

With mixed success using various at-home remedies, he booked a visit to a sleep center, where he learned he had a mild form of sleep apnea. Dr. Park said Jacobs woke up 185 times in his sleep study, the primary reason why patients with sleep apnea don’t get restful sleep.

Jacobs tried an oral appliance and CPAP therapy. Both worked, significantly cutting down his snoring. Jacobs reported trouble getting comfortable with both treatments, especially CPAP.

That’s a common issue reported by new CPAP users. On the CPAP Central section of our website you can find tips on how to make this effective therapy a better experience.

In the end, Jacobs settled for a mix of remedies, not entirely cutting out his snoring. The AASM recommends anyone with more advanced cases of sleep apnea continue their treatment. Sleep apnea can lead to deadly complications.

His wife eventually allowed him back in the bedroom, but surely she’s learning what its like to be one of the many “Real Wives of Sleep Apnea.”

Learn on sleepeducation.com what you can do to stop snoring

Have sleep apnea? See a sleep dentist

More sleep apnea patients are discovering the dentist can help them get a good night's sleep.

A report that aired this week on Fox 5 Atlanta adds to the growing praise for oral appliances, dental devices you wear when you sleep to keep your airways open.



Learn more about obstructive sleep apnea and oral appliances at sleepeducation.com.

For regular coverage of sleep dentistry related topics, check out our sister blog: http://aadsm.blogspot.com/

Don’t Let Holiday Stress Disrupt Your Sleep

Although the holidays are a time for joy, they can also cause a great deal of stress. Between shopping, decorating and hosting parties, you may find that sleep has moved to the bottom of your priority list.

You may tell yourself that you will have time to catch up on sleep in the new year, but you may not realize the harm you can do by skimping on sleep.

Dentist and UCSF professor of restorative dentistry Steven Goldman told the San Jose Mercury News that when people are under stress and not sleeping well they are at higher risk for developing bruxism, or night-time teeth grinding.

Bruxism is not always serious. However, severe bruxism can lead to tooth damage, muscle pain and headaches. You can use an oral appliance to protect your teeth while you sleep if you frequently grind your teeth.

Planning holiday activities in advance can help alleviate your stress. Knowing your limits can also prevent you from over scheduling and cutting into your sleep time.

Holidays are a time for enjoying family and friends, but it is also important during this time to manage your stress and health. To make this an enjoyable and healthy season, make sure to leave time for a good night’s sleep.

Sleep experts recommend that adults sleep between seven and eight hours each night. Learn more about healthy sleep habits.

Image by Andreas Nilsson

Sleep Apnea Treatment: What Works Best?

A story today on NPR’s “Morning Edition” discussed treatment options for obstructive sleep apnea and snoring.




What is the best treatment for OSA? In June the AASM released a clinical guideline for the evaluation and treatment of sleep apnea; it was published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine. Here is a summary of the AASM recommendations:

1. CPAP Therapy
CPAP therapy is the “treatment of choice” for OSA. It is effective for all severity levels of sleep apnea. CPAP should be the first treatment that a doctor offers to someone with OSA.

CPAP stands for “continuous positive airway pressure.” It provides a steady stream of air through a mask that you wear during sleep.

2. Oral Appliance Therapy
An oral appliance is an alternative treatment option for people with mild or moderate OSA; people with severe OSA should be treated with CPAP. Oral appliance therapy also can help a person who has primary snoring.

An oral appliance is a dental mouth piece that you wear during sleep. It fits much like a sports mouth guard or an orthodontic retainer. It either holds the tongue or supports the jaw in a forward position. An oral appliance should be customized to fit you by a dentist who has been trained in dental sleep medicine.

3. Surgery
A surgical procedure is an alternative treatment option for some people with OSA. It may be required to correct a physical abnormality; it also may be performed if you are unable to have success with CPAP or an oral appliance.

There are a variety of surgeries that can help correct a specific problem. Targeted areas include the throat, tonsils, jaw and nose. Surgery may not cure OSA; you may need to continue with another treatment such as CPAP. Positive results also may not be permanent; symptoms may reappear at a later time.

4. Behavioral Strategies
Weight loss is recommended for everyone with OSA who is overweight. But it rarely cures sleep apnea. It should be combined with another treatment. Positional therapy – side sleeping – may help some people with less severe OSA.

A board-certified sleep specialist can determine which treatment option is best for you. Contact an AASM-accredited sleep disorders center for help with sleep apnea.

Getting Help for Sleep Problems – from a Dentist?

CBS 2 News in Chicago reports that a growing number of dentists are practicing “dental sleep medicine.” What does dentistry have to do with sleep?

The most obvious connection between your teeth and your sleep is bruxism. This occurs when you grind or clench your teeth during sleep.

Bruxism can damage your teeth and cause jaw discomfort or pain. It also can briefly disturb your sleep – and wake up your bed partner.

A dental sleep medicine specialist can fit you with a mouth guard that you wear during sleep. This will protect your teeth and reduce the grinding noise.

But dental sleep medicine specialists aren’t just bruxism experts. They also may be able to help you with snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. These problems involve a partial or complete blockage of your airway.

A dentist who practices dental sleep medicine can fit you with an oral appliance to wear during sleep. This is similar to an orthodontic retainer. It keeps your airway open by holding your tongue or slightly moving your lower jaw forward.

The AASM approves oral appliance therapy as a treatment for snoring. It also recommends that an oral appliance may be an effective treatment option for mild or moderate sleep apnea.

Treatment with CPAP therapy is the best option for severe sleep apnea. A board-certified sleep specialist at an AASM-accredited sleep center can help you determine which treatment option is best for you.

The sleep center will refer you to a specialist in dental sleep medicine for help with oral appliance therapy.

Much Ado About Snoring

Segments of today’s Morning Edition on NPR focused on snoring in adults and children.



Snoring is a common problem. But what can be done about it?

First, you need to be aware that snoring is a common sign of obstructive sleep apnea. Most often this kind of snoring is loud and frequent. It tends to be followed by silent pauses in breathing. These pauses may end with a loud choking or snorting sound.

Sleep apnea is a serious health problem that requires medical attention. CPAP and oral appliances are the two most common treatments. Another option is surgery, which is a common solution for children with sleep apnea.

But what about a milder case of snoring that is unrelated to sleep apnea? Are there any solutions?

Well there are hundreds, if not thousands, of products that are marketed to “cure” snoring. This is true of most other health problems as well. The FTC reports that consumers may spend billions of dollars on “unproven, fraudulently marketed, often useless health-related products, devices and treatments.”

So be careful. If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.

One option that can work is an oral appliance. It keeps the airway open when you wear it as you sleep. It should be fit by a specialist in dental sleep medicine.

Wearing a nasal strip may have a mild effect on snoring. Using a lubricant nasal spray also may help.

A steroid nasal spray may help for snoring related to nasal congestion. Regular nasal decongestants may not work as well. They may have a “rebound” effect that could worsen nasal breathing later in the night.

There are two other treatment options for snoring that involve behavioral changes.

One is weight loss, if your snoring is related to being overweight or obese. Of course, this is easier said than done. Weight loss also takes time, so it certainly isn’t a quick fix.

Another option is “positional therapy.” Basically, this means that you sleep on your side instead of on your back. Certain types of pillows can help you do this. Or you can try the old home remedy of sewing a tennis ball in the back of your pajamas.

Just keep in mind that you need to find out if your snoring is a sign of sleep apnea. Contact an AASM-accredited sleep center near you for help.

Read the AASM’s summary of common cures for snoring. Or read the full report from the journal Sleep.