Sleep Disorders

The Problem

Prevalence of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Everyone knows someone with Diabetes or Asthma, but did you know that Obstructive Sleep Apnea is as prevalent as these common problems?

• Roughly 1 out of 5 adults has at least mild OSA
• 90% of sleep apneics remain undiagnosed and untreated
• Almost as many traffic accidents are caused by sleep apnea as DUI
• The risk is 2 to 3 times greater in men than women
• The risk to women greatly increases after menopause
• Pregnancy may be a time of particular risk for women
• OSA is the most common chronic disease in industrialized societies
• 27% of all children are affected by habitual snoring
• 2 to 3% of all children have OSA
• The problem is getting worse due to the trend in obesity

Quality of Life

Night after night of improper sleep and breathing takes its toll on our quality of life and may include the following:

• Always being tired, no energy
• Feeling of depression
• Easily irritated
• Falling asleep at inappropriate times
• Difficulty concentrating
• Forgetfulness
• Wake up with headache
• Others are frustrated
• Decreased sex drive

OSA and your health

The three most important basic fundamentals of life are eating, breathing and sleeping. Those who suffer from sleep-disordered breathing (snoring and obstructive sleep apnea) are missing out on two of the three!!

When breathing and sleeping are disrupted night after night, adverse health consequences are more frequently seen such as high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke and diabetes.

Vehicular & Work Accidents

Drowsy driving

People with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) syndrome have high motor vehicle crash rates, based on crash records as well as self-report and poor performance on driving simulators. Because traffic safety is under governmental regulation, there are legal implications for both private and commercial drivers if OSA is a significant cause of impaired driving. In addition, recent research shows that accidents and injuries in the workplace are increased when workers suffer from fatigue and sleepiness from obstructive sleep apnea.

Sleep Apnea in Children

Sleepy kids

Witnessed apneas occur in approximately 5% of children. Although obesity is a less important risk factor in children than adults, symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing occur 2 to 3 times as often as they do in non-obese children. Studies suggest that a minimum prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) of 2 to 3% is likely, with prevalence as high as 10 to 20% in children who snore habitually. Daytime sleepiness is reported in 25 to 30% of children.

According to the American Sleep Apnea Association, children may present with hyperactivity, inattentiveness, aggressive behavior, irritability and mood swings.

"OSA in children is a serious disorder that, untreated, may result in health problems as well as behavior and academic problems."

Tonsils and Adenoids

Large tonsils and adenoids are often responsible for snoring and sleep apnea in children. When large tonsils and adenoids are removed, the snoring and apnea resolves approximately 80% of the time.

Orthodontic Treatment

In many instances, snoring and sleep apnea in children can be caused by dento-facial abnormalities. Often, the upper airway can be widened through orthodontic expansion of the dental arches (a routine procedure done in most orthodontic offices).

Down Syndrome

It has been reported that the incidence of upper airway obstruction may be as high as 31% in children with Down Syndrome.

ADHD

A 2002 study found that children who frequently snore or have sleep disorders are almost twice as likely to suffer from ADHD as those who sleep well.

Prevention

Some researchers suggest that breast-feeding serves to shape the dental arches in infants in a manner which increases the likelihood that the upper airway becomes adequately formed for proper breathing and sleeping. Conversely, many clinicians feel that most commercial pacifiers and thumb-sucking serve to cause malformation of the dental arches so as to increase the risk of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.

Sleep Apnea in Pregnancy

According to some researchers, the airway of pregnant women narrows in the last trimester of pregnancy. It has been found that if a woman has severe snoring or sleep apnea, the health of both the mother and the fetus can suffer. In pregnant women, blood pressure rises as the airway becomes narrower. Data indicates that pregnant snorers have an increased risk for preeclampsia.

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