|
|
(HealthNewsDigest.com) – The rate of people experiencing sleep disorders is on the rise. Between one-third and one-half of American adult men have sleep apnea, and one-sixth of women. As many as 80% of people with sleeping problems do not know they have sleep apnea, so the numbers may be even higher. Sleep apnea is a disorder where a person’s breathing starts and stops while sleeping, stopping oxygen flow to their brain.
While managing weight, diet and exercise can assist greatly, a continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP machine is a popular treatment that sends oxygen at a steady flow through the mouth and nose. However, more and more people are abandoning their CPAP treatment with the primary reason being discomfort due to the bulky and hosed mask. An alarming 50% of users discontinue use within a year, and 8% never use one again after the first night.
To deal with this problem, GoPAPfree developed the O2Vent Optima, a simple, minimally invasive oral device that is much more comfortable to wear. Dr. Christopher Hart, the founder of GoPAPfree who invented the O2Vent Optima, is a dentist who suffers from sleep apnea. After years of suffering and feeling as if he was suffocating trying to breathe through his nose, he knew there had to be a better way. The O2Vent Optima works better than a standard oral appliance because of it’s airway management system, allowing air to continuously flow to facilitate easy breathing. Unlike the CPAP, there are no hoses, masks, machines, or loud noises.
The O2Vent Optima focuses on clearing the breathing airway through the mouth, eliminating the need for a full-on face mask. With a traditional CPAP mask, a sleep apnea sufferer may start the night breathing through their nose, but switch to mouth breathing when congested. This often happens because the transition from sitting down to lying can induce nasal congestion within 30 to 90 minutes. As that happens, the jaw falls back and the airway collapses and becomes unstable. The O2Vent Optima, on the other hand, keeps the mouth airway clear consistently.
Regular mouth breathing at night can be detrimental and lead to facial structural changes and skeletal alignment issues. It can also lead to other issues such as dental tooth decay and gum disease. The O2Vent Optima keeps the jaw in place to prevent movement by positioning the lower jaw forward to a comfortable range. At the same time, it allows the airways to bypass nasal congestion and other areas of airway collapse, such as from the tongue, soft palate and lateral walls.
Thanks to telehealth, patients can obtain the O2Vent Optima from the safety of their home. This is an extremely important option in the post-pandemic era, as patients can consult with a doctor or dentist over video, have a prescription written, then receive a mold impression kit in the mail. This allows patients to make their own impressions for the 3D printed device, for maximum convenience and comfort.
Refusing sleep apnea treatment can be very dangerous because the condition can lead to high blood pressure, heart failure, strokes, diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease. Inadequate sleep also makes it difficult to focus at work, remember things or even stay awake. Signs of sleep apnea include frequent snoring, waking up with a migraine, sore throat, or the feeling that the mouth is full of cotton.
The O2Vent Optima works for people with mild, moderate or severe sleep apnea, and helps stop snoring and nasal congestion. Sleep apnea is often connected to excess weight, but it doesn’t just affect overweight people. Obstructive sleep apnea is caused by a blockage of the airway, which can be weight related or due to a physical condition that is a result of lifestyle choice such as sleeping position, alcohol use, sleeping pills, smoking or nasal allergies. Obstruction can also be caused by having large tonsils, a large tongue, a small jawbone, a deviated septum, allergies or sinus problems. Central sleep apnea is due to the brain failing to signal the muscles to breathe because of instability in the respiratory control center.
Seven years later, clinical trials and peer-reviewed studies found that the O2Vent Optima increases the effectiveness of sleep apnea therapy by 50% compared to standard mouth guards. Peer reviewed studies found that it improves the therapeutic success rate of the standard sleep apnea mouthpiece from 50% to 80%. It is the only device with a 100% response rate for treating snoring.
The O2Vent Optima not only benefits the wearer, but reassures loved ones concerned about the wearer’s health or bothered by their snoring. In many cases, insurance covers all or most of the cost of the device. People with sleeping problems should look into whether sleep apnea may be the reason why they cannot get a good night’s sleep.