If you snore, you should first see your doctor to determine if you do have sleep apnea. In a recent study at Stanford University, one out of every three heavy snorers was found to have severe sleep apnea. The doctor may schedule you for a sleep stoudy. For this study, you will need to spend the night in a sleep laboratory where your breathing and snoring will be monitored to determine the severity of your snoring and sleep apnea. If you do suffer from severe sleep apnea, you may need to be fitted for a CPAP machine. Surgery is also a possibility. sleep apnea surgery options sleep apnea surgery options However, if the sleep study rules out obstructive sleep apnea, or if the apnea is still very mild, then you might consider a visit to your dentist. A dentist can supply you with a dental appliance that can help you control your snoring. A dental appliance is a small plastic device that fits in the mouth. You wear it at night and it prevents the collapse of throat tissues that cause the snoring. These devices are easy to use and inexpensive. They are fitted to the individual patient and require no surgery. One such device is the Snore Guard. Snore Guard looks like causes of central sleep apnea sleep apnea surgery options an athletic mouthpiece. You wear it while you're sleeping and it prevents the jaw and tongue from dropping back to obstruct the air passages. It allows you to breathe easier, and keep breathing so you get a more restful sleep. Another such appliance is called Silent Nite. These devices are flexible, small, thin, and quite comfortable to wear. Your dentist will determine from a questionnaire and from impressions of your upper and lower arch just what shape your Silent Nite should take. Snore prevention devices have proved successful in more than 85% of cases, while other treatment, such as surgery or drugs sleep apnea supplies sleep apnea surgery options have
