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Sawing Logs - Safely, Quietly
How Snoring and Sleep Apnea Affect Your Health

To more than 30 million Americans, snoring may seem like a relatively harmless, albeit annoying, part of an average night's sleep. In most cases that's all it is-a mild nuisance. But for some, severe snoring can be a symptom of sleep apnea, a more serious sleep disorder, according to an article in the May 2003 issue of AGD Impact, the monthly newsmagazine of the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD).
What's the difference between the two? Snoring is not life threatening, but it can cause excessive daytime sleepiness, memory impairment, morning headaches and poor work performance. Snoring happens when throat muscles relax, causing the soft palate and the uvula (the fleshy structure that hangs from the roof of the mouth) to vibrate.

A variety of treatments and therapies exist for snoring, from surgery to mandible devices, says Eric Z. Shapira, DDS, MAGD, spokesperson for the AGD. The mandible, or jaw, sometimes falls backward, depending on the sleeping position. This partially blocks the airway and causes snoring. "Snoring devices move the mandible forward," he says. "They are about 80 percent to 90 percent effective."
Sleep apnea is more serious. Where snoring occurs with partial obstruction of the upper airway, sleep apnea is caused by complete blockage of the airway, preventing normal breathing for up to 10 seconds at a time. In one night, a sleep apnea patient may experience 20 to 30 blockages.

An estimated 18 million Americans suffer from undiagnosed and untreated sleep apnea. This disorder may raise blood pressure and decrease the flow of oxygen to the brain. Studies have shown that patients with this potentially life-threatening disorder are so fatigued during the day that when driving, their performance is similar to a drunk driver. If left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to impaired daytime functioning, high blood pressure, heart failure and possibly stroke.
Snoring and sleep apnea are related, but not all snorers will develop sleep apnea and not all sleep apnea patients snore.

Both problems are treatable. Patients can consult their dentists about any symptoms. From there, a dentist can take a patient history and, if necessary, refer to a specialist. If the dentist suspects sleep apnea, he or she may refer to a physician or a sleep specialist.

How to Minimize Snoring:

• Lose weight
• Quit smoking
• Have allergies? Get treatment
• Limit or avoid alcohol use and sedatives
• Sleep on side instead of back

The Academy of General Dentistry is a non-profit organization of more than 37,000 general dentists dedicated to staying up-to-date in the profession through continuing education. A general dentist is the primary care provider for patients of all ages and is responsible for the diagnosis, treatment, management and overall coordination of services related to patient's oral health needs. Learn more about AGD member dentists or find more information on dental health topics at www.agd.org/consumer.

CONTACT: Susan Urbanczyk, public relations manager, at 312.440.4308 or media@agd.org or Jennifer Starkey, public relations coordinator, at 312.440.4341 or media@agd.org.

NOTE: Information that appears in General Dentistry, the AGD's peer-reviewed journal, AGD Impact, the AGD's newsmagazine and related press releases do not necessarily reflect the endorsement of the AGD.