Women who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea and treated their disease reduced their risk of dying from heart attack or stroke. A new study from Spain looked at women with sleep apnea and how treatment affected their cardiovascular risks. Previous studies have confirmed that men with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have increased risk of heart attack and stroke.

The study found that women with untreated, severe sleep apnea were 3 1/2 times more likely to die from heart disease or stroke compared to women without OSA. The study focused on treating the women using CPAP which uses a machine to deliver pressurized air through a mask to keep the throat open at night. Researchers found that using the machine for at least 4 hours per night reduced the risk for the women to equal that of patients without sleep apnea. Great news for those patients who can tolerate sleeping with a CPAP machine.

Sleep Apnea Help for CPAP Intolerant

The problem is that a lot of people can’t tolerate sleeping with a CPAP machine. They can’t find a mask that is comfortable, the tubing bothers them, they just feel claustrophobic… there are lots of reasons. For mild to moderate sleep apnea and for patients with more severe cases who are CPAP intolerant an oral appliance may be the answer.

A custom oral appliance is created in a lab and designed to gently hold your jaw in a position that keeps your airway open during sleep. No masks or electricity needed.

For more information or to schedule a consultation to see if you may be a candidate for oral appliance therapy to treat your obstructive sleep apnea please contact Bethesda, MD sleep apnea dentist Dr. Bernard Greenbaum at 301-530-3600 today.