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When such relaxation happens somewhere from the soft palate, uvula to trachea,<br />

breathing can be obstructed. Central sleep apnea is related to the hypo-function of the<br />

central nervous system. Central sleep apnea is caused by the muscles controlling<br />

breathing fail to do so because they either do not get signal from brain or the brain does<br />

not send signal to them, or the signal gets interrupted. In this case, the airway may stay<br />

open, but the diaphragm and chest muscles stop working, thus normal breathing stops.<br />

The most common sleep apnea is the obstructive sleep apnea. When OSA happens, the<br />

muscles of the diaphragm and chest work harder to overcome the extra friction in the<br />

upper airway. Such effort may wake up the sufferer and makes sleeping of low-quality<br />

or even totally deprived [5-7].<br />

When breathing stops, the blood Oxygen level decreases and the heart needs to work<br />

harder for Oxygen supply. Blood pressure rises and sometimes heart beats irregularly<br />

which may cause cardiovascular problems and even deaths [6]. Poor sleep is also found<br />

to cause increase traffic accidents [5-7].<br />

1.2 OSA Treatments<br />

Obstructive sleep apnea can be alleviated by weight loss and be treated by surgery, oral<br />

appliances (mechanical devices inserted into the mouth) and a breathing-assistance<br />

device [8]. Types of these treatments are reviewed below.<br />

1.2.1 Oral Appliances<br />

Two kinds of appliances are used for the treatment.<br />

A. Mandibular Repositioning Device (MRD)<br />

Figure 1.2 Mandibular repositioning device[9]<br />

2

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