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What’s So Bad about Snoring?

Man SnoringSnoring may be an annoying social problem and a subject of humor, but it also may be the cause (or the signal) of some serious medical problems. Snoring can lead to numerous awakenings from an otherwise deep sleep. Such interrupted sleep patterns can cause daytime drowsiness which can impair the ability to concentrate, accomplish required tasks and handle minor irritations. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has estimated that more than 200,000 auto accidents annually are sleep related.

Sleep Apnea

At its worst, snoring is related to the serious medical condition, sleep apnea. In this condition, narrowing of the pharynx is so significant that the tongue can actually press against the back wall of windpipe causing total obstruction of air flow. If the obstruction lasts for ten seconds or longer it is considered an apnea. People with sleep apnea suffer from 10 to more than 100 apnea episodes per hour. Sleep apnea is associated with an increased risk of hypertension and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease.

How is it Treated?

Most of the time, snoring and sleep apnea can be reduced or eliminated by wearing a simple oral appliance at night. It enlarges the airway by positioning the lower jaw slightly forward. Ask us for suggestions or contact us to schedule a consultation!

About Yuri Kaneda, DDS

Dr. Yuri Kaneda was born in Japan and immigrated to the US when she was 4 years old with her family. She lived in Ohio, Nebraska, and Illinois before finally settling in the San Diego area. A graduate of Bonita Vista High School, she went on to the University of California Berkeley where she obtained her Bachelors in Microbiology and Immunology. After working for 2 years in growth plate research at University of California San Diego, she went to the University of California San Francisco Dental School for her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. Upon graduation, she returned to San Diego where she worked as an associate in the practice of Drs. Morimoto and Yaryan, her childhood dentist. She then started her own practice in 1995 and has been at her present location since 1999 which happens to be across the street from her high school!

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