Sleep apnea management - Somnomed

SLEEP APNEA

What is OSA?

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. 

It is a chronic, lifelong medical condition that can affect your sleep, health and quality of life.  It has been linked to hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, work and driving-related accidents and even strokes.

OSA can have a significant impact on the quality of life, placing unnecessary strain on relationships between bed partners, family and in the workplace.

What causes OSA?

During sleep, muscles, including those that control the tongue and throat, relax.  Snoring is often a symptom of OSA caused by changes in your upper airway while you sleep. The soft tissue in your throat may vibrate. This condition is commonly known as snoring. There are instances when it may completely collapse causing you to stop breathing. 

The soft tissue at the back of the throat can sag, narrowing and constricting the airway. Collapsing of the soft tissue is called an Obstructive Apnea and may last for 10 seconds or more.

How SomnoDent Oral Devices Treat Sleep Apnea

Developed by SomnoMed, the SomnoDent™ portfolio of premium oral sleep devices is used in the effective treatment of sleep-disordered breathing by providing COAT™ (Continuous Open Airway Therapy).

Continuous Open Airway Therapy (COAT)® is a category of products that treat patients seeking an easy, efficient solution for OSA, or obstructive sleep apnea. 

View this video to learn more:

When we sleep, gravity and muscle relaxation allows the tongue and surrounding soft tissue to fall back into the throat area, collapsing the airway and obstructing airflow. This effect causes pauses in breathing which can occur hundreds of times per night, which dramatically reduces oxygen levels in the blood, straining the heart.

According to SomnoMed, a patient may have Sleep Apnea if they:

  • Snore
  • Choke/gasp for air in their sleep
  • Are tired during the day
  • Have poor memory/forgetfulness
  • Experience multiple night-time bathroom trips
  • Have headaches in the morning

Most of the time, the person sleeping is not aware of the breathing stoppages, but their body is, causing them to be tired during the day. This tiredness increases the risk of traffic accidents and work injuries.

Continuous Open Airway Therapy (COAT) devices treat OSA by moving the lower jaw slightly forward. 

This forward movement helps keep the airway open. SomnoDent wearers:

  • Regularly enjoy refreshing sleep
  • Experience restfulness during the day
  • Increase their health by reducing the chances of serious health complications
  • Restore spousal togetherness
  • Are free to travel because there’s no device to plugin