Women Snore
The Dater's Big Secret - What Women Who Snore Don't Want Their Man To Know
By Malia McKinney
Starting a new relationship after becoming divorced or widowed can cause a great deal of stress and anxiety for women. Getting close to someone after a painful situation such as a death or divorce can be difficult in and of itself, however when you snore, moving the relationship to the next level can be even more emotionally trying.
While men significantly outnumber women when it comes to snoring, nearly a quarter of the female population is affected. Women are also less likely to suffer from sleep apnea, however, to those who are affected, treating the disorder can take the romantic edge off of any date. "Snoring can be a very sensitive issue, especially for women. It leaves people in a very vulnerable position and open to ridicule and rejection," Dr. Jonathan Greenburg, a sleep apnea specialist indicates. "I have had many female patients who have been in this situation and it can quite literally mean the end of a dating relationship," he notes.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurs when the soft palate and tissues in the back of the throat block the airway. When this takes place, the brain signals the body to wake so that breathing can resume. In addition to sleep deprivation, sleep apnea can cause a host of other serious medical conditions, including an increased risk of stroke, high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat and even heart attacks. In order to determine if a patient has obstructive sleep apnea they must be tested by a qualified sleep lab.
According to Dr. Greenburg, whose practice is located near Los Angeles, sleep apnea treatment normally requires a patient to use a CPAP machine (continuous positive airway pressure). The device forces air into the patient's nose through a specially designed mask. "Many patients are uncomfortable with this type of treatment and nearly half are CPAP intolerant," Greenburg indicates.
Another option for treating sleep disorders such as OSA is the use of an oral appliance. The basic oral appliance treats apnea by moving the jaw forward, eliminating the risk that soft tissues will obstruct the airway. Newer appliance designs, such as the FDA approved FullBreath, which is offered by Dr. Greenburg, have been shown to reduce apneic incidents by close to 85 percent. Greenburg indicates that this device is different from traditional appliances because it is custom fitted for the patient and has the added benefit of keeping the tongue from falling back, which is the most significant problem with snoring and sleep apnea.
"This appliance is really quite state of the art. We collect a variety of information including x-rays of the jaw and other structures in the mouth and throat and data regarding the amount of air that is moving through the airway. This helps us to custom design the appliance for the patient. These oral appliances offer new hope for sleep apnea patients who are either unable or simply don't want to be hooked to the CPAP device," Greenburg adds.
This is welcome news to individuals apprehensive about how snoring will affect their personal life. "It is just one less thing to worry about when starting a romantic relationship. The appliance is an easy and effective way for OSA patients to move forward with their lives," says Greenburg.
Post A Free Classified Ad Today
<< HomeWomen Snore