SLEEP & SNORE SOLUTIONS
Sleep Apnea Treatment
Treatment
Treatment usually starts with a diagnosis, which may require an overnight sleep study, which we can arrange through our affiliations with accredited sleep medicine physicians and labs. During a sleep study, the number and severity of the apnea condition is monitored and recorded. Cases are usually described as mild, moderate or severe according to a scale known as the apnea hypopnea index or AHI. In more severe cases, OSA sufferers may experience breath stoppage more than 30 times per hour, and have blood oxygen levels plummet to unhealthy levels. In the most severe cases, surgery may be considered as a treatment option.
Because OSA is a dangerous health condition, it is important to seek assistance in remedying the problem. Finding the right type of therapy can mean immediate relief not only for you, but also better sleep for bed partners as well. Our office can work with you to create a cost-effective treatment plan.
Dental Appliance For Sleep Apnea
Oral appliance therapy is an effective treatment option for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). A custom-fit oral sleep appliance can improve your sleep, restore your alertness and revitalize your health. Appliances bought over the counter may not be as effective and can result in jaw problems, so be sure to get fitted for your appliance to be guaranteed a proper treatment.
Did You Know?
The American Sleep Disorder Association has endorsed oral appliance therapy as an acceptable treatment modality for snoring and sleep apnea (yay!). Most patients with sleep apnea suffer from mild to moderate forms. In these cases, oral appliance therapy can be the most successful form of treatment. While treatment with the CPAP machine is extremely successful, there are many patients who cannot or choose not to wear the facemask with attached air compressor.
Positive Airway Pressure Device (CPAP)
Another form of treatment for sleep apnea is a positive airway pressure device. This machine is worn over the nose to supply pressurized air that continuously flows into the throat, which keeps the airway open and prevents it from collapsing. Studies show that patients feel much better after using these machines while sleeping, and even notice the symptoms reducing as an effect of using these devices continuously.The primary issue with CPAP therapy is not effectiveness, but acceptance. Many OSA patients find they are unable to tolerate the face mask, supporting head gear and other equipment associated with CPAP, and either refuse the device or discontinue use after an initial period of compliance.
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FAQs
Let's Talk OSA
Sleep Apnea Statistics
9% of middle-aged women and 25% of middle-aged men suffer from OSA.
1 in 5 adults has at least mild OSA.
That translates to 18-25 million Americans (1 in every 15) living with sleep apnea.
Possibly as few as 5% have been diagnosed, or have taken a sleep study.
A person afflicted with untreated obstructive sleep apnea is up to 4 times more likely to have a stroke, as well as 3 times more likely to have heart disease.
Approximately 50% of all patients who have hypertension, or high blood pressure, are also afflicted with obstructive sleep apnea.
People suffering from OSA are as much as 6 times more likely to be involved in a car crash than those without sleep disorders. This is due to the fact that they are drowsy from lack of sleep.
Who Is At Risk For Sleep Apnea?
Even though sleep apnea can affect anyone regardless of age, weight, and gender, these factors indicate a higher likelihood of having sleep apnea:
Mouth breathing: Sleeping with the mouth open is a sign that the nasal airway is obstructed. Nasal obstruction causes the jaw to drop, reducing the diameter of the pharyngeal airway and increasing the likelihood of obstructive sleep apnea. If you know a sleeping mouth breather, they may be suffering from obstructive sleep apnea.
Excess weight: Fat deposits around the neck and chin may obstruct your breathing. Keep in mind though, not everyone who has sleep apnea is overweight. Thin people suffer from OSA as well.
Neck size (circumference): People with large neck circumferences tend to have narrowed airways as a result. Men with a 17 inch neck size and women with a 16 inch neck size are at higher risk. Another risk factor is excess skin from the chin to the neck, often referred to as a turkey neck.
Family history: If you have family members who suffer from OSA or snoring, you may be at increased risk. There is a hereditary link associated with sleep apnea.
Use of alcohol or other sedatives: These substances cause the muscles in your throat to relax, exacerbating sleep breathing issues such as OSA.
Smoking: Smokers are three times more likely to suffer from OSA than their non-smoking counterparts. Smoking tends to cause inflammation and fluid retention in the airway, resulting in less space for air to pass through the airway.
Being a male: Men are projected to be twice as likely to have sleep apnea. This gap narrows as age increases. Once women reach menopause, the ratio is almost equal.
Age: OSA occurs significantly more often in adults that are older than 40.
A narrowed airway: You may have a naturally narrowed airway. This is more common in women than in men, and could be a strong indicator of sleep apnea in women.
Enlarged tonsils and/or adenoids: Your tonsils and/or adenoids may become enlarged, which lessens the amount of room for air to pass through your airway. In children, this is the most common cause of sleep apnea, in which removal is the most effective solution.
Jaw structure: A lower jaw that is undersized compared to the upper jaw (retrognathia).
What Are The Symptoms Of Sleep Apnea?
Often the person with sleep apnea is totally unaware of the problem and will often deny the fact that he / she snores, but the bed partner will observe:
Loud snoring followed by cessation of breathing
Gasping and choking during sleep
Excessive daytime sleepiness
Morning headaches