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Sleeping Is So Hard — She Needs 7 Pillows Just to Fall Asleep
Ms. Chen, a patient with asthma and severe obstructive sleep apnea, has to wear a positive pressure ventilator (CPAP) during sleep. However, her symptoms were so severe that she could only lie back at a 15-degree angle to breathe properly. In the past, she needed to elevate seven pillows each night just to fall asleep. The preparation before sleep was time-consuming, and even while sleeping, the CPAP often failed to effectively clear her airway. On average, once a month, she needed to be rushed to the emergency room in the middle of the night for help. While most people can sleep naturally, Ms. Chen lived in constant fear of not waking up after falling asleep.
Later, she tried a new treatment that involved three steps: "precise pre-treatment instrument testing," "a new patented oral sleep appliance," and "self-healing training and follow-up." This treatment successfully improved her obstructive sleep apnea, allowing her to sleep soundly and giving her family peace of mind.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is primarily caused by the relaxation of the tongue muscles in the throat, leading to breathing difficulties or airway blockages during sleep. Patients often wake up suddenly due to oxygen deprivation in the brain. As a result, the first-line treatment typically involves the use of a positive pressure ventilator (CPAP), which helps to keep the airway open during sleep.
However, Wang Dayuan, the former dean of the School of Dentistry at Taipei Medical University, points out that CPAP devices often cause several difficulties for patients. These include the bulky machine and numerous accessories, which make it difficult to carry while traveling. Additionally, precise placement during sleep can be challenging. If the device is not worn correctly, air may leak from the mask, causing discomfort as it blows directly onto the face. The foreign sensation of the mask covering the head and the noise of the machine further prevent relaxation, making it difficult for patients to sleep well. Eventually, patients may realize that this condition is chronic, requiring lifelong reliance on the device, leading to negative emotional effects.
Dr. Wen Shizheng, the director of Shih Hua Dental Clinic, pointed out that to address the aforementioned issues, a new dental treatment has been introduced. This method first generates diagnostic reports using an electrocardiogram, sleep quality monitoring system, and blood oxygen concentration meter. Then, the latest custom-made "patented oral sleep appliance" is used, which is created through non-invasive optical scanning followed by digital 3D modeling. This approach ensures a comfortable fit for the patient, alleviates brain hypoxia, and, through daily self-therapy training and ongoing adjustments, significantly improves the patient's condition. Additionally, the patented oral sleep appliance is small, easy to clean, and reduces discomfort during wear, making it a major advancement in the treatment of sleep apnea.
Obstructive sleep apnea is common among middle-aged and older individuals who are overweight or have a thick neck circumference. American scholars estimate that about 20% of adults suffer from obstructive sleep apnea, but in Taiwan, the actual number of diagnosed cases is less than 120,000. Based on Taiwan's population, nearly 3 million people may be suffering from brain hypoxia due to undiagnosed or untreated cases, increasing the risks of heart attack and stroke. If you or a family member exhibit related symptoms, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible.
資料來源：睡覺好難 她得墊7個枕頭才能入睡
Tags: 口腔睡眠矯正器, 睡眠呼吸中止症
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