Sleep Apnea Linked to Dementia
Posted August 18, 2011 by Wager-Evans Dental
Did you know that sleep apnea increases risk for heart attack and depression? A recent study also connects sleep apnea to dementia in elderly females who experience 15 or more sleep apnea episodes per hour.
Sleep apnea is a lapse in breath during sleep. The most common form of sleep apnea is obstructive, or OSA. When we sleep, jaw muscles relax. The lower jaw can move slightly backward, allowing soft tissues in the throat and mouth to completely block breathing. Partial blockage often causes snoring – the sound of vibrating soft tissues in the mouth. While not all snorers have OSA, snoring is a symptom of the condition.
Dr. Wager offers various non-surgical, non-pharmaceutical treatment options for obstructive sleep apnea. CPAP, a continuous positive air pressure machine, is the gold standard for sleep apnea therapy. Other treatments include oral splint therapy and a combined treatment of CPAP and splint therapy. Dr. Wager has studied dental sleep medicine. He can assess your case and determine whether any of these treatment options might end your sleep disorder and give you the deep, restful sleep you need to function at peak performance.
Call Wager Evans Dental in Reno, NV today to schedule your consultation with Dr. Wager. You deserve restful sleep and rewarding days.