SLEEP APNEA TREATMENT
 
Apnea literally means “cessation of breath”. In other words, apnea is when you stop breathing. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is simply when your airway becomes obstructed during sleep, causing you to stop breathing. The human upper airway is surrounded by muscles. The largest of these muscles is the tongue. When we are awake we have tightness, or tonicity, in our upper airway muscles, but during sleep these muscles relax.
Recent studies have shown that 1 in 4 adults in the United States (31% of all men and 21% of all women over 18) are at “high risk” for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (based on analysis of the National Sleep Foundation’s 2005 Sleep in America survey). It is estimated that the American public spends over $3 billion every year on the diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea! This is a serious health issue affecting millions of Americans.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSA) is a serious, life threatening disorder affecting over 18 million Americans. Research estimates that up to 9% of all adult males and 4% of all adult females suffer from sleep disordered breathing, yet fewer than 10% of the people with this disease have been diagnosed. The most recent studies have shown that 1 in 4 adults in the United States (31% of all men and 21% of all women over 18) are at “high risk” for OSA (based on analysis of the National Sleep Foundation’s 2005 Sleep in America survey).

Snoring
Waking up due to gasping or choking
Excessive daytime sleepiness
Irritability
Memory loss
Nighttime grinding of teeth
Restless or unrefreshed sleep
Frequent waking during sleep

40% of adults over 40 snore (approx. 87 million Americans)
9% of men and 4% of women suffer from some form of Obstructive Sleep Apnea. (approx. 30 million Americans)
Less than 10% of OSA sufferers have been diagnosed (approximately 3 million Americans)
Of those diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea, less than 25% have been successfully treated.

Increased risk of stroke
Increased high blood pressure
Increased incidence of atrial fibrillation
Increased risk of diabetes
Poor memory and other cognitive impairments
Male impotence and decreased sex drive
Headaches and migraines
Increased risk of motor vehicle accidents
Increase in Gastrointestinal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Increase in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children
Death
Dr. Leatherwood has a wonderful and clean office. The staff is amazing and always super kind and helpful! They know each patient on such a personal and caring level. I would recommend Dr. Leatherwood to anyone and everyone. She is the best dentist I have ever had.
KENDYLDr. Leatherwood and her staff are wonderful!! I have been to their office several times, and I have never had to wait longer than a minute or two at most. They are very knowledgeable, informative, and attentive. The office is always clean and professional. I would recommend this dental practice to anyone!
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