Why it is important for you to know
Individually, Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Insomnia are the two most common sleep disorders. Together, known as COMISA (Co morbid insomnia and sleep apnea) they afflict an even larger population. Both OSA and insomnia include nocturnal sleep disturbances and impairments to daytime functioning.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a highly prevalent disorder, characterized by recurrent episodes of upper airway obstruction occurring during sleep, and associated with recurrent cycles of desaturation and re-oxygenation, sympathetic over-activity and intra-thoracic pressure changes, leading to fragmentation of sleep. Consequently, symptoms of OSA may present as excessive daytime sleepiness, forgetfulness, impaired concentration and attention, personality changes, and morning headaches. Untreated, OSA has many potential consequences and adverse medical associations including an increased risk of motor vehicle accidents, cardiovascular morbidity, and all-cause mortality.
Insomnia is defined as a persistent difficulty with sleep initiation (DIS), duration, consolidation, or quality that occurs despite adequate opportunity and circumstances for sleep, and results in some form of daytime impairment.
30-50% of OSA patients report co-morbid insomnia symptoms
Treatment for both conditions is necessary to improve symptoms that COMISA patients suffer from. The treatment for OSA is different from that of insomnia. So, a missed diagnosis of either of these two sleep disorders compromises the treatment results and symptom relief of a patient.
COMISA is also is shown to reduce acceptance and use of CPAP therapy. This is an excellent opportunity for oral appliance therapy to be considered when appropriate for a patient.
At NJDSMC we practice Integrative Medicine. We believe that a collaborative and multidisciplinary approach works best for our patients. Call us if you suffer from sleep apnea, snoring, CPAP intolerance. Or if you refuse to consider CPAP. We help our patients regain their life.
With over 25 years of clinical experience, Dr. Sunita Merriman is a graduate of the College of Dentistry at New York University. She founded her Dental Practice and NJDSMC, New Jersey Dental Sleep Medicine Center in Westfield in 2000 and is dedicated to helping our community by providing personalized dental care to families, and treating Sleep Apnea, Snoring and CPAP Intolerance.
Dr. Merriman has earned a Diplomate status with two Dental Sleep Boards- AADSM, American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine and the ABCDSM, American Board of Craniofacial Dental Sleep Medicine. To learn more about Dr. Merriman, NJDSMC, or her dental practice go to www.njdentalsleepmedicine.com, wwwDoctorMerriman.com or call 908-389-0222. Located at 229 Charles Street in Westfield, Dr. Merriman and her team are honored to be named a NJ Top Dentist of NJ for the past 10 years in a row.
