The National Institute of Health reports that 12 million Americans have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). OSA occurs when a person’s breathing is interrupted during sleep. People with OSA stop breathing repeatedly during their sleep, sometimes hundreds of times during the night. OSA is now recognized as a life threatening disorder and, if left untreated, can result in excessive daytime sleepiness, poor memory, irritability, mood swings, depression, weight gain, impotency, frequent nighttime urination, reflux, gout, diabetes, and cardiovascular health problems including hypertension, stroke, irregular heart beats and heart attacks. Because excessive daytime sleepiness is such a serious concern, New Jersey recently enacted landmark legislation that addresses the dangers of drowsy driving. With "Maggie's Law," New Jersey has given the nation its first law that specifically states that a sleep-deprived driver is a reckless driver who can be convicted of vehicular homicide.

Obstructive sleep apnea occurs more frequently in men than women. Although one’s risk for OSA increases with age, anyone may have sleep apnea, even children. Researchers have also suggested that there may be a possible genetic link to OSA -- if someone in your family has sleep apnea, you are more likely to develop it than someone without a family history of the condition.

OSA often goes undiagnosed. Even when OSA is diagnosed, it is often left untreated or ineffectively treated. Fortunately, there are many helpful treatments for OSA:

CPAP
Although nasal continuous positive air pressure (CPAP) is commonly the first approach to treatment of obstructive sleep apnea, it is often poorly tolerated. Most find it uncomfortable, some find it inconvenient, a few find it inadequate and some bed partners cannot stand the noise.

Surgery
Surgery, especially to the soft palate, tonsils, uvula, adenoids and pharynx (UPPP) has a success rate of between 40-50% at best and is irreversible. Many times surgery loses its effectiveness leaving the patient with silent apneas.

Oral Appliance Therapy
One of the least invasive methods is a dental appliance that keeps the airway open during sleep. Dr. Abrams at Princeton Park Dental Associates is a board certified member of the Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine and is able to evaluate and fit you with a dental appliance. Oral appliance therapy, when appropriately practiced, provides a more predictable success rate than surgery, is reversible and considered more user-friendly than nasal CPAP.