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[S550]Sleep Apnea Oral Appliances
by Shareen Aguilar, Sha
Aside from the traditional and natural snoring remedies, oral appliances are also helpful in preventing a person snore. These are actual medical devices which have been carefully designed for snorers so that it lies either on the tongue or the jaw of the user. Oral appliances appear much like a mouthpiece when worn because of the way it looks.

But oral appliances obviously do a great deal of purpose when a snorer starts to use it. A snorer who regularly uses an oral appliance should expect his mouth shut at all times especially while sleeping. This is to prevent any sound produced by the vibrating trachea.

In some cases, when the structure of the jaw is what causes snoring, the oral appliance when used pushes the jaw forward. This prevents the tongue from falling backwards when the snorer is lying in bed while sleeping which minimizes blockage of the air passage from the throat.

Another great benefit that an oral appliance alone can do is that it widens the air passage over time. By regularly using an oral appliance, the air passage just stretches out as it would as when a rubber band is constantly stretched out.

A good thing about oral appliances also is that it does not provide any discomfort for the snorer unlike the results of snoring surgeries. These appliances are very simple to use since it is only worn while sleeping but usually, it is recommended to be worn on short periods at night. The air opening from the throat to the back of the mouth is maintained open while the mouth is closed so as to prevent any vibration to occur. The tissues on the throat are also pushed back and collapsed at the back of the mouth which even leads to an even wider air passage.

Oral appliances can also be worn the entire night though if one desires so. As long as it provides comfort and quicker treatment for the snorer or a person with sleep apnea while sleeping.

Sleep Apnea is the cessation (stoppage) of breathing for more than 10 seconds during sleep. Apnea can be caused by many factors such as the airway muscles relaxing so much during deep sleep stages that nearly all muscle tone is lost and the airway closes off. As the airway relaxes and closes snoring can occur which will intensify to the point of full airway obstruction. The airway obstruction leads to the apnea or hyponea. (Hyponea is a medical term for shallow breathing). Once the apnea or hyponea starts 3 factors occur which affect the quality of sleep.

  • Oxygen Levels drop, sometimes dramatically due to no intake of air.
  • Heart Rate increases due to increased carbon dioxide levels and low oxygen levels.
  • These cause arousals or a change in sleep stages. The arousals can be short or long and the snorer is unaware it is happening. These arousals can happen hundreds of times during the night. With each arousal the brain “wakes up” briefly and the person is taken from a deep sleep to a light or awake stage. This can occur over and over again never allowing the sleeper to gain the restful sleep they need. A sleeping person needs to enter deep sleep several times during the night to get the rest they need.
Sleep Apnea can cause severe physiological damage indirectly by causing the heart to work so hard at night and thus predisposing the sufferer to high blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmias, heart attack and stroke. The following are some signs and symptoms of sleep apnea:
  • loud snoring - waking up unrefreshed after a full nights sleep
  • gasping and/or choking at night
  • pauses in breathing >10seconds
  • falling asleep while watching TV or driving
  • high Blood Pressure
  • irritability
  • depression/anxiety
  • frequent nighttime awakenings/trips to bathroom
  • daytime fatigue/tiredness
If any of the above sound familiar to you or a loved one, you should speak to your doctor or Registered Respiratory Therapist about further testing to screen for sleep apnea. Simple in home testing are available. For more detailed information on snoring, sleep apnea and sleep apnea treatments please visit

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Both Shareen Aguilar & Lisa Bower are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Shareen Aguilar has sinced written about articles on various topics from Web Development, Pilates Exercise and insurance agents. Click to find out more about informative snoring remedies.. Shareen Aguilar's top article generates over 246000 views. to your Favourites.

Lisa Bower has sinced written about articles on various topics from . Compiled by Lisa Bower, RRT, CAE, respiratory therapist with over 15 years experience. Lisa Bower is the Manager for Independent Respiratory Services Inc. in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia (BC), Canada, and contributing webm. Lisa Bower's top article generates over 720 views. to your Favourites.
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