Say goodbye to sleep disorder

Sleep disorders are various conditions that restrict the ability to sleep well regularly. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is one of the major sleeping disorders and potentially a serious issue that is affecting lot of people.This disorder causes breathing to stop temporarily due to some obstruction. There could be multiple reason for OSA. While the person is asleep the throat muscles relax and blocks the airway or tongue moving back obstructing the airway due to narrow arch form which leads to the primary reason for obstructive sleep apnea. 

Symptoms of OSA
 People with sleep apnea will experience a lot of problems throughout the day, such as:

1.Drowsiness during day time
2.Lack of concentration during day time
3.Headache
4.Mood swings
5.Poor performance at the workplace or school
6.Hyperactivity in children
7.Disinterest in sex
8.Leg cramps
9.Night palpitations
10.High blood pressure
11.Snoring; loud or faint.
12.Clenching and grinding of teeth.
13.Restless Sleep.
14.Getting up often during sleep
15.Twisting and turning while Sleeping
16.Choking sensation during sleep.
17.Bed wetting in adults.
OSA could be a major reason for heart attacks.

Causes of OSA
 Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the throat muscles relaxes leading the tongue fall back and block the airway. This would lead to difficulty in breathing, and the person tends to wake up for a few seconds, which he/she will not remember the next day.

• Excess weight
• High blood pressure
• Narrow airway
• Smoking
• Nasal blockage
• Diabetes
• Hereditary factor
• Asthma
• Narrow arch form
• Previously treated Orthodontic patients with or without extraction.

Medical care
The aim of treating sleep apnea is to allow proper airflow during sleep. There are various measures to treat obstructive sleep apnea, such as:

• Weight loss
• Nasal decongestants
• Yoga
• Exercise regularly
• Quit smoking
• Try not to sleep on your back
• Avoid drinking alcohol several hours before you sleep

If these measures don’t improve the sleep pattern then, there are various treatments and few devices that could help treat obstructive sleep apnea.

1. Oral Devices like Silensor
2. DNA appliance
3. ALF
4. Maxillary Skeleton Expansion
5.Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) - this is managed with a face mask that is worn at night.

In the worse scenarios, doctors would recommend surgery. The most common type of surgery is Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), which involves the removal of extra tissues from the back of the throat, thus, enabling the airways to be open. There are other procedures as well to treat sleep apnea such as jaw surgery, upper airway stimulation, surgical opening in the neck, nasal surgery, removal of enlarged tonsils, and implants. 

Consult with a Sleep Specialist for more information.

Reviewed By : Dr Rajesh Raveendranathan
Visit Us: tmjindia.com
Mail Us:  icpriblr@gmail.com
Book an appointment: tmjindia.com/book-appointment

Are TMJ and TMD the Same Thing?

With all the fancy medical jargon that we often hear said on television, it is absolutely reasonable for us to be confused about the above terms. TemporoMandibular Joint (TMJ)and TemporoMandibular Joint Disorders (TMD) are related in nature however they are distinct in condition.Simply put, TMJ is a part of the body and TMD is the medical condition that effects this part.

Temporomandibular Joint, is the joint that connects our upper and lower jaw and like other joints in our body, the TMJ also gradually wears out itself due to various reasons. This may happen at a younger age in some people owing to genetic and other factors. Since this condition is rare it does not get a lot of attention from people. Most people often spend their lives visiting ENTs and other specialists only to realize that their pain persists. The most important thing when you have TMD or Temporomandibular Joint Disorder is to detect it early and fix it.

The usual signs that accompany someone that has Temporomandibular Joint Disorder is frequent migraines, neck pain and head ache, often times this persistent pain may be unexplained and no root cause would be identified. In such cases it is wise to consult a TMJ specialist.

If you or anyone you know could be suffering from TMD, please do reach out to us for further enquiries.

Reviewed By : Dr Rajesh Raveendranathan
Visit Us: tmjindia.com
Mail Us:  icpriblr@gmail.com
Book an appointment: tmjindia.com/book-appointment