In years past we went to the doctors’ in the belief that we would be treated, that is “cured” of our disorder or illness. Societal norms have changed. As our diseases are channelled into specific areas, often alas for the convenience, profit, administrative benefit, or their investigation and treatment become more specialized or expensive, many of us have come to realize the need for self-advocacy. Is this an issue when it comes to sleep problems?

OSA is a potentially fatal disease of epidemic proportions in our society today. With 26% of Canadians estimated to have OSA (5.4M Canadians) chances are that you or someone close to you has OSA. Management is crucial and the two primary ways are by CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) which comprises a mask, bedside pump and joining hose and OAT (Oral Appliance Therapy), which comprise an oral appliance similar to a mouth guard. Both have advantages and disadvantages.

There are several options available to the OSA and/or snoring sufferer (or their bed-partners) ranging from Weight-loss, Positional Therapy, Behavioural Sleep Medicine, Dental Oral Appliances, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), various hard and soft tissue jaw, throat and palate surgeries and some emerging therapies such as chest implants which detect OSA and activate the tongue to act as in a similar way to a Dental Oral Device.

Sleep apnea is a common and potentially serious sleep disorder in which your breathing is repeatedly interrupted while you sleep. If left untreated, sleep apnea can contribute to type 2 diabetes and heart disease while increasing your likelihood of stroke and heart attack. 

Sleep apnea can affect toddlers, children, and adults, although some of the identifying symptoms are different depending on your age.

Results show that people who have severe sleep apnea, which involves frequent breathing pauses during sleep, have three times the risk of dying due to any cause compared with people who do not have sleep apnea. It is estimated that 5.4 million Canadians have Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).

It is well known that sleep affects general health, and a strong suspicion that it affects longevity too. Several studies have put this to the test.

Genetic factors are linked to many illnesses, from a predisposition to certain types of cancer to a tendency for high blood pressure. If you have ‘blood relatives’ who have Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) you may wonder if due to hereditary factors, will you develop it too?