Sleep Bruxism and Hypobaric Hypoxia Exposure: Exploring the Physiological Association

Area of Science:

• Physiology
• Sleep Medicine
• Altitude Medicine

Background:

• Sleep bruxism (SB) involves masticatory muscle activity during sleep, often linked to conditions like obstructive sleep apnea and GERD.
• Hypoxia, particularly from high-altitude exposure, affects cardiac rhythm and gastric function, potentially influencing SB.
• SB may play a protective role in airway patency, triggered by microarousals and autonomic instability under hypoxic conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the effects of hypobaric hypoxia exposure on physiological and molecular alterations during sleep bruxism.
• To synthesize current research on the relationship between high-altitude conditions and sleep bruxism.

Main Methods:

• A narrative review guided by SANRA criteria.
• Synthesis of recent human and animal studies investigating hypoxia's physiological and molecular effects on sleep bruxism.

Main Results:

• Sleep bruxism is associated with GERD and autonomic dysregulation, conditions prevalent in hypobaric hypoxia.
• High-altitude exposure can exacerbate SB through oxidative stress, genetic factors, and sleep disturbances.
• Neurophysiological and molecular pathways, including TRPV1 and HIF-1α activation, are implicated in SB under hypoxia.

Conclusions:

• Hypobaric hypoxia presents physiological and molecular conditions that likely exacerbate sleep bruxism.
• Further studies at high altitudes are necessary to confirm the direct association and refine diagnostic approaches.
• Polysomnography remains the standard diagnostic tool for sleep bruxism.