A study published in the Medical Journal of Australia attributes the increase in severity of sleep disordered breathing (i.e. obstructive sleep apnea) cases to increases in obesity levels.

The researchers from the University of Newcastle reviewed almost 15,000 diagnostic sleep studies made between 1987 and 2007.  The median body weight of patients increased by 11% for men and 16% for women over that time period.  For every unit increase in body mass index (BMI) the number of sleep related breathing events (stopping breathing during sleep) increased by 5.5 events per hour for men and by 2.8 events per hour for women.

Weight loss is the obvious answer but is a slow and difficult process for most patients.  Treatment for obstructive sleep apnea is vitally important and should not wait until weight loss attempts have failed.  For patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, or for patients with severe sleep apnea that cannot tolerate CPAP therapy, an oral appliance may be the most effective treatment for you.

Oral appliance’s for treating obstructive sleep apnea are custom made in a dental laboratory and work by repositioning your lower jaw during sleep to keep your airway open.   In Columbus, Ohio please contact me at 614-476-6696 to arrange your consultation to discuss oral appliance therapy for your obstructive sleep apnea.