Chula Vista Dentist

So you ask, "What do automobile accidents and breathing have to do with each other?" Well you might be surprised to know that the number one cause of automobile
accidents on North American roads each year is tired driving. Unfortunately, obstructive sleep apnea is a huge contributing factor. It deprives people of the rejuvenating sleep that their bodies require. Disruptive sleep fill with arousals, increasing heart rate and high blood pressure does not allow the solid sleep your body requires. Did you know that people suffering from this sleep disorder are seven to twelve times more likely to be involved in an auto accident because of their excessive sleepiness? Limited sleep slows your response time. In fact, sleeping only four hours a night results in reaction times that are equivalent to someone who has a blood alcohol level of .08%.

Sleep apnea is one of the most under-diagnosed life threatening medical disorders in our society today. Despite the lack of attention, tired driving and obstructive sleep apnea are statistically more dangerous than drunk driving. Once you know the statistics, driving down the highway can be a scary proposition.

This sleep disorder is also directly implicated as contributing to heart disease, cerebrovascular insult, diabetes, gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) and obesity. The list truly goes on and on. If you suffer from bruxism, or awake multiple time through the night, or have morning headaches or if your bed partner has witnessed you snoring and then gasping for air, the likelihood that you are suffering from obstructive sleep apnea is very, very high. It is not necessary for you to have any or all of the aforementioned to have sleep apnea. Realize that not everyone that has apnea is tired. Some people have symptoms with very mild apnea while others don't have symptoms with sever apnea. Bottom line, don't let how you feel make the determination. This is one area that "guilty until proven innocent'" is probably sound advice.

One very good screening tool that has been shown to be predictive of sleep disordered breathing is called the Adjusted Neck Circumference screening for Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Here is the formula: ANC = NC + H (4) + S (3) + C/G (3). ANC is Adjusted Neck Circumference, H is Hypertention, S is Snoring, C/G is Choking/Gasping. The way it is used is that the neck circumference (measured in centimeters) is adjusted if you have hypertention (4 cm added), or a habitual snorer (3 cm added) or chocking or gasping most nights (3 cm added). A low clinical probability corresponds to an adjusted neck circumference of less than 43 cm, an intermediate probability (4 to 8 times as probable) to a neck circumference of 43 to 48 cm, and a high probability (20 times as probable) for a neck circumference of more than 48 cm.

The gold standard for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea is CPAP therapy; however oral appliances can be equally affective, particularly in mild and moderate sleep apnea. If you suspect you have sleep apnea, take it seriously and talk with your physician or a dentist that is trained in the treatment of sleep apnea. It could be a conversation that saves your life.