Sleep related breathing disorders (SRBD) result in either intermittent hypoxia which are recurring decreases in oxygen levels throughout the night or fragmented sleep or both.
Both hypoxia and fragmented sleep result in systemic inflammation as well as endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress and sympathetic activation. These are the prime drivers of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity. Coincidentally or maybe not these are the comorbidities which determine the severity of the reaction to Covid-19.
We believe that an open airway and good quality restorative sleep reduces chronic systemic inflammation as well as the resulting endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress and sympathetic up regulation.
Home sleep testing may be the easiest method of determining a diagnosis of a SRBD from snoring to UARS, hypopnea and apnea.
This is particularly helpful for those individuals with high probability of a positive test who have a positive STOP BANG or Epworth Sleep Study without severe comorbidity.
Your sleep dentist or ENT can facilitate this home sleep test. Depending on the diagnosis and recommendations by the Sleep MD, personalized precision treatment will be recommended.
Now may be the best time to make sure you have the internal stockpile to deal with the challenges of the next 12-18 months and beyond. We have a new flu season coming up in the late fall with Coronavirus still present.
Getting enough sleep, eating well and exercising daily are a great start. We are looking at the tone and anatomy of your pharyngeal and nasal airway as it relates to breathing and sleep. This might be the time to get back into the best shape of your life and wake up feeling refreshed with vitality.
We look forward to seeing you in person.
Michael Gelb DDS, MS
The GELB Center team.