Dr. Fulvio Braido of the University of Genoa in Italy made a presentation at the World Allergy Organization 2010 International Conference that explored the link between asthma and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).    Dr. Braido suggests that one disease may cause the other or that they may share a common cause.  He also feels that asthma complicates the treatment of OSA and vice-versa.

Sleep complaints in asthmatic patients are fairly common and are many times related to uncontrolled asthma.  In patients where the asthma is well controlled, Dr. Braido and his colleagues found there were less sleep disturbances, according to their 2009 study.

Dr. Richard Lockey, president of the World Allergy Organization said “I always ask my asthma patients: ‘Do you snore?’  Ask the bed partner too.  I ask the patient if they are sleepy during the day and if they have loss of recent memory.”  Unfortunately, most general practitioners  and the general public are unaware of the link between these two breathing disorders.

If you are asthmatic and snore loudly you may be at risk for obstructive sleep apnea.  CPAP treatment is usually prescribed but many patients cannot tolerate sleeping with a mask and machine.  Oral appliance therapy is a safe and effective alternative to CPAP.

In the Columbus, Ohio area please contact the Dental Sleep Medicine office of Dr. Mark Levy at 614-476-6696 today to discuss diagnosis and treatment of this dangerous disease.