Bogrow & Associates Blog

A good night sleep is very important to our overall health and has a huge impact on our daily activities.  If you are not getting an adequate amount of sleep during the night, then you and your body may suffer from sleep deprivation and be prone to daytime sleepiness.

This could affect you:

• Performance at work
• Cause strain in personal relationships
• Increase your risk for injury or illness
• Be a sign of a more serious health problem

Awareness of sleep problems is nationwide.  Physicians are becoming increasing aware that obstructive sleep apnea can be linked to life threatening diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, depression, high blood pressure, strokes and heart attacks to name a few.  Since Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a serious medical condition, it must be diagnosed by a physician. Diagnosis is based on the results of an overnight sleep study called a Polysomnogram (PSG). Other factors determining OSA are patient evaluation and history.

The most common symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea are:

• Loud snoring
• Periodic stoppages in breathing
• Significant daytime sleepiness
• Restless sleep
• Difficulty concentrating and poor memory
• Irritability or personality change

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is caused by obstruction of the airway and characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep.  These episodes are called apneas: with OSA breathing is interrupted by a physical block to airflow, despite the effort to breathe.

There are three treatments for obstructive sleep apnea:

• CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure)- a mask worn while sleeping that forces oxygen into the airway passage.
• Oral Appliance Therapy- an adjustable appliance worn at night that brings the lower jaw slightly forward opening the air passage.
• Surgery that removes the soft tissue in the throat causing the obstruction.  The tissue usually grows back. 

  Dr. Bogrow has had extensive training in oral appliance therapy for treating patients that suffer from OSA and snoring.  He continues to stay abreast of the latest developments and works with medical professionals who specialize in sleep disorders.  He is a member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine and a charter member of the Detroit Dental Sleep Network.