Congratulations on taking the first big step toward better health! VIA Health Group, Vitality In Airway effectively treats the underlying causes of sleep-disordered breathing, the anatomical physical limitations. By resolving conditions such as sleep apnea for good, using non-surgical treatment,  Dr. Jeff Danner and our team in Canton, Ohio, also support long-term, systemic health and well-being. 

Avoiding the consequences of untreated sleep apnea

“Apnea” is derived from the Greek word “apnoia,” which refers to lack of air. This term is apt; individuals with apnea have pauses in their breathing while sleeping. Several adverse health effects arise from this process. Sleep disruptions interfere with the health benefits of stage three and stage four sleep (deep sleep and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, respectively). These stages of sleep are critical to muscle repair and short- and long-term memory and cognitive capabilities, respectively. 

In turn, a lack of restorative deep and REM sleep can have considerable negative consequences that extend beyond the common symptoms of sleep apnea, including: 

• Persistent, unexplainable fatigue 
• Frequent dry mouth 
• Chronic headaches 
• Irritability and mood changes 
• Poor concentration
• Night sweats 
• Overactive bladder and urge incontinence
• Poor libido

Without treatment, these apneic effects can increase your risk of daytime accidents and interfere with your productivity and ability to bring your best “self” to work and other areas of your life. 

Furthermore, there are many longer-term complications of sleep apnea and sleep-disordered breathing conditions, including: 

• Type 2 Diabetes – Labs have demonstrated that sleep apnea elevates the chemicals in the blood responsible for inflammation and a rise in blood sugar (glucose) levels, independent of patients’ weight/body composition
• Hypertension – Apneas are thought to trigger the branch of the nervous system that contributes to increased heart performance, as disordered breathing frequently causes blood oxygen levels to dip during sleep. In fact, it’s estimated that around half of sleep apnea sufferers have high blood pressure
• Coronary artery disease –Eventually, inflammation associated with hypertension and diabetes among apneic patients can lead to heart and blood vessel damage. Researchers suggest that OSA is a risk factor for future heart attacks and chest pain caused by blockages of the blood vessels that supply the heart
• Stroke and sudden death – OSA is associated with an elevated risk of cardiac events such as stroke and impaired recovery following a stroke. Additionally, stroke survivors are at increased risk of developing OSA. This complication has the potential to cause a life-changing disability or premature death. Middle-aged men have higher mortality rates than other groups of patients, with the cause of death stemming primarily from heart disease

Fortunately, VIA Health Group (Vitality In Airway) provides a treatment that addresses the root cause of disordered breathing during sleep. Our use of the revolutionary Vivos® Method alters the anatomical anomalies and tissues responsible for OSA non-surgically.  The tongue and the soft palate encroach on the throat and generally obstruct the airway during sleep. 

Other oral appliances and therapies merely reposition the jaw and tongue. When worn as directed while sleeping, these devices prevent oral tissues from blocking the airway. 

The Vivos® devices prescribed by our craniofacial sleep medicine-trained dentist, Dr. Jeff Danner, effectively expand and reshape the mouth. Eventually, these healthy changes render the device unnecessary. Other oral appliances must be worn for life. 

Furthermore, when our team in Canton, Ohio, treats sleep apnea, we also indirectly help patients improve their blood sugar levels, resolve high blood pressure, and effectively address or avoid the range of whole-body health complications mentioned here. Consider our airway services as the protective factors that fight many health risks related to sleep-disordered breathing. Call (330) 915-3390 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Danner today.