Education
Common Definitions and Terms Related to Sleep Apnea
Sleep Study – A non-invasive, overnight exam usually performed in a clinic where you sleep and a doctor monitors to see what is happening in your brain and body.- Types of Sleep Studies:
Diagnostic – A sleep study that specifically watches for unusual sleeping patterns and issues to provide diagnose sleep disorders.
Titration – An overnight sleep study when you will use a CPAP machine (a small machine that blows filtered air through plastic hose into a mask that you wear).
Split Night – This is an all-night polysomnogram and CPAP titration study done in one night. Home Sleep Study – A non-invasive, overnight exam where you sleep and data is collected from the comfort of your home.
Home Sleep Study – A home sleep study is a favorable choice for many who require a sleep study. Patients are provided with a portable polysomnography and detailed instructions for them to do their sleep apnea test in the comfort of their own bed.
Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) – This test is to evaluate how often and how quickly a patient falls asleep in quiet situations during the day. It is usually performed following an all-night sleep study.
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Obstructive sleep apnea is very common and potentially life-threatening medical disorder that prevents airflow during sleep. More than 18 million Americans have sleep apnea, and many are not receiving treatment.
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Snoring is extremely common and, in many cases, relatively harmless. Nearly everyone snores at one time or another. Occasional light snoring, at worst, is a minor annoyance. Loud and habitual snoring can disrupt your sleep and may be a sign of a much more serious sleep disorder – obstructive sleep apnea.
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Drowsy driving can be as dangerous as drunk driving. Drivers are 15 times more likely to be involved in a deadly motor vehicle accident when they have excessive daytime sleepiness, a common symptom of sleep apnea. Motor vehicle accidents due to drowsy driving account for $48 billion in medical costs each year.
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Apnea Hypopnea Index – This is an index used to indicate the severity of sleep apnea in a patient. Results are based off the number of apnea and hypopnea events on a per hour basis.
Central Sleep Apnea – This is a disorder which a patients breaking repeated stops and starts during sleep.- Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
Snoring – This is when the tissue in the throat relaxes and will partially block the airway and create a vibrating sound. Loud snoring is usually more prominent in sleep apnea patients.
Waking Up and Gasping for Air – This symptom is common with sleep apnea patients because of the pauses in breathing while sleeping.
Fatigue – Untreated sleep apnea can affect daily routines due to sleep deprivation.
Types of Treatment of OSA – The most common Obstructive Sleep Apnea treatment is: Oral Appliance Therapy, EMA Therapy, TMJ/TMD Appliance, NTI, and Tongue Retaining Device
CPAP – This stands for ‘Continuous Positive Airway Pressure’ and is a form of positive airway pressure ventilator device that applies continuous positive airway pressure throughout the breathing cycle.
BIPAP – Similar to a CPAP machine, a Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure machine is a non-invasive form of therapy that uses a time-cycled or flow-cycled change between two different applied levels of positive airway pressure.
Oral Surgery – A surgical procedure in the mouth.
Dental Device – A medical device for the mouth that is used when sleeping as a effective treatment option for sleep apnea.