Denise Dewald
This study has two parts: an observational part and an interventional part. The goal of the observational part of the study is to look for variations in swallowing in adults with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and in adults who don't snore. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Are there differences in swallowing between people with OSA and people who don't snore? * Are there differences in swallowing between people with OSA who do well with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy and those who struggle with CPAP? This may help us better understand what causes OSA, which may help us develop alternate ways to treat or even prevent OSA. It may also help us improve care for people with OSA who struggle with CPAP. Participants will be aged 40-60 years, except women up to the age of 70 will be included in the healthy control (non-snorer) group. Participants will: * Undergo a type of x-ray study called a modified barium swallow study (MBS) * Come to MetroHealth Medical Center for a measurement visit to: * assess the strength of their tongue, lips, and cheeks * assess the strength of their breathing muscles * assess for restrictions in tongue mobility (tongue ties) * observe their resting breathing * take photos of their mouth and posture * take videos of them drinking and eating * Complete some questionnaires * For successful CPAP users: we will download data from the chip in their CPAP device * Do a home sleep test (except for successful CPAP users who have had a recent in-lab sleep test) The goal of the interventional part of the study is to test swallowing exercises in people ages 40-60 years with OSA who struggle with CPAP. The main question it aims to answer is: • Can swallowing exercises help people who struggle with CPAP sleep better with CPAP? Participants will: * Try to use CPAP for 2 weeks with individualized support * Do all the investigations listed in the observational part of the study * Do one or two courses of swallowing exercises, each of which would last 7 weeks. Participants will be asked to do daily exercises; exercises will take 20-30 minutes to perform. * Try to use CPAP for 2 weeks after the course of exercises * Repeat the investigations listed in the observational part of the study to see if changes occurred with the swallowing exercise intervention.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common disorder in which the throat narrows abnormally or even collapses fully during sleep. The narrowing leads to sleep disruption and increases the risk of many chronic health conditions. We do not understand why the throat narrows in some people during sleep but not in others. While being overweight or obese increases a person's risk of OSA, it is only one part of the problem. Some thin adults and children have OSA, and many overweight or obese people do not have OSA. In addition, many people with OSA struggle to benefit from current OSA treatments like c…
Inclusion Criteria for healthy airways participants: * Naturally ideal dental occlusion without orthodontic intervention, including successful eruption of wisdom teeth (without significant dental crowding, though minor rotation of less than 4 teeth will be acceptable) * No sleep-related complaints * No snoring. * They should be missing no more than 4 of their natural teeth, and these should have been lost to decay or accident rather than due to crowding. A person whose wisdom teeth came in successfully but were extracted "preventatively" will be eligible for the study. * Should be getting at…
Clinical speech language pathologists will provide standard exercises based on the abnormalities seen on the modified barium swallow. Exercises are expected to include the effortful swallow, the Mendelsohn maneuver, expiratory muscle strength training with the EMST-150, supraglottic swallow, super supraglottic swallow, chin tuck against resistance isokinetic exercise, chin tuck against resistance isometric exercise, Masako maneuver, Shaker isometric head lift exercise, Shaker isokinetic head lift exercise, Falsetto high pitch glide exercise, tongue press exercise
Participants will get a variety of exercises aimed at improving bolus formation, strengthening the seal of the soft palate with the tongue, and habituating nasal breathing. There will also be exercises aimed at stabilizing the epiglottis and strengthening the muscles supporting the lateral pharyngeal walls. Expiratory muscle strength training with the EMST-150 will also be done.