Dental appliances for sleep apnea have been used for over ten years now, and their effectiveness has been proved. There are different forms of this disorder. Oral devices help alleviate 'obstructive' apnea, caused by airway obstruction, although they are really designed to stop snoring. There are some lifestyle changes that can help this disorder, although medical diagnosis and treatment are recommended.

People who suffer from this condition actually stop breathing for ten seconds or longer while they are asleep. Severe cases may cause many interruptions of the inhalation-exhalation cycle every minute. Deep, restful slumber is impossible under these conditions, and a sufferer gradually gets more fatigued, may be sleepy during the day, and can find daily tasks difficult. Those afflicted may become aggressive, or merely irritable, and may develop depression.

There are different types of apnea. A small fraction of cases are caused by brain stem problems. The majority are what is called 'obstructive', involving a physical blockage of the airways. This is the disorder that responds to the use of an oral mouthpiece, which is recommended by sleeping disorder specialists as the first thing to try in treatment.

One of the major causes of this problem is obesity. People who are grossly overweight often already have breathing problems. In this instance, lack of muscle tone causes the soft tissues of the throat and airways to collapse when the person is sleeping. Losing weight and exercising under medical supervision can help alleviate breathing problems. Doctors also recommend avoiding alcohol and tobacco smoking.

Serious diseases like heart problems or those which cause chronic pain can be complicated by apnea, which can be caused by some medications. The brain is affected by sleeping disruption, and patients exhibit a variety of symptoms, making diagnosis more difficult. Some people suffer memory loss, some have difficulty in concentrating, and others may find routine tasks hard to perform. This affects daily living, job performance, and total health.

Oral devices which were designed to alleviate snoring advance the lower jaw, which keeps upper airways open. The mouthpieces are FDA-approved for sleep disorder use. Quality ones will be made of medical-grade materials or plastics that are latex and BPA-free. There is a lot of information online; people who suspect they may have this disorder should check out some of the sites to learn more about their condition and options.

People who stop breathing during slumber rarely know that they do so. Other people in the household often tell them of the problem, which is both noisy and frightening to listen to. Special clinics monitor people during the night to chart their breathing and make a definitive diagnosis. Clinics can also help judge the effectiveness of treatment.

Dental appliances for sleep apnea can help those with this condition lead a more normal life. Sleep deprivation is a serious problem in itself which can compromise health. Anyone with this problem should not ignore it but should seek medical help. A diagnosis is the first step. There is a lot of information online about different kinds of treatment which patients should read in order to understand their options. Lifestyle changes, of course, will be the patient's responsibility; they should be part of the recovery program, which might be incomplete without them.