Sleep Apnea Therapy and Sleep Apnea Treatment

No. When selecting a dentist to treat you with an oral appliance, make certain that the dentist has the training, experience and knowledge necessary to treat your problem. Always ask the dentist about their credentials. Where have they trained? How long have they been doing this? How many patients have they treated?

Snoring and apnea are more frequent in men than in women until women near menopause. Hormonal changes and weight gain can result in increased snoring and incidences of sleep apnea.

Sleep is a vital component of every person’s health and well-being, especially for sleep apnea patients using an oral device to get adequate sleep. We recently received questions from patients about the safeguards one can take to properly disinfect their device and how to avoid potential misuse that could damage the device. To help clarify how to use the device properly and prevent damage to the device we have put together this resource so users can wear their device every night with confidence.

Read more about how to safely clean your Oral Appliance.

Weight has a direct impact on both. The severity of sleep disordered breathing can change with weight gains and losses. However, sometimes it is all about anatomy. Dr. Levy has treated thin, athletic people who also suffer from sleep apnea.

There are no ‘boil and bite’ (over the counter) mouthpieces that are FDA approved to treat sleep apnea. While they may reduce snoring for a short while initially, they tend to cause jaw and teeth pain as well as TMJ.

CPAP has been around a long time for treating obstructive sleep apnea. In many cases, it works well. However, with long term compliance rates hovering at about 25%, there are a lot of diagnosed patients who are left untreated. In addition to patients who simply refuse to wear CPAPs, the acceptable compliance rate for CPAP therapy is 4 hours per night, 5 night per week. That’s a total of only 20 hours of sleep per week! Getting a good night’s sleep is so important to our overall health and if you are only getting 20 hours of restful sleep per week, you are walking around exhausted. Many of Dr. Levy’s patients have also had the surgery called UPPP which has limited usefulness with many patients. Long term success rates are just hovering at around 40% with many patients having relapses a year or two after surgery. Medical research has shown that oral appliance therapy is very effective for mild and moderate sleep apnea, and very helpful for CPAP intolerant patients who are considered severe cases.

No. Snoring is not normal for children. They should be evaluated to determine the cause of snoring and its consequences for your child. There are several ways to correct this condition when it is deemed necessary.

Absolutely! Sleep apnea is linked to heart disease, strokes, high blood pressure, impotence, depression and night time urination. One of the most significant symptoms is excessive daytime sleepiness. Take the Epworth Sleepiness Test on this site to see how you score. It is estimated that excessive sleepiness can be as dangerous as drunk driving. Yet no one knows who is on the road suffering from sleep apnea and how many accidents they are causing. One more fact- it is estimated that untreated severe sleep apnea will take 10 years off of your life. Serious indeed!

Probably obstructive sleep apnea. It should be noted that this disease is very serious and has numerous health implications. It is imperative that the partner have a sleep study to determine if it is obstructive sleep apnea and be prescribed the appropriate therapy.

Sleep Apnea is a condition in which a person stops breathing many times throughout the night, sometimes for dangerously long periods of time. It is estimated that up to 10% of middle-aged men and women may suffer from sleep apnea. With sleep apnea, the airway becomes obstructed, usually by the back of the tongue. With the airway obstructed, a person does not breathe. Obviously, breathing is essential to life and our well being. Every time breathing stops, it cause dangerous low levels of oxygen in the body and heart rate and blood pressure increase. Sometimes this happens up to 80-120 times per hour. Imagine the toll it takes on your body. The gasping you hear at night is the person’s attempt to awaken and start to breathe again. The extreme tiredness is due to the constant awakening to catch a breath, never allowing them to get the deep restful sleep needed by the body.

Snoring that is very loud and can be heard throughout the house is usually the first sign that there may be something else going on. And snoring like this is not just unhealthy for the snorer- inadequate sleep for the bed partner can lead to exhaustion and potential other ill effects. Many patients of Dr. Levy’s report sleeping in separate bedrooms. As a matter of fact, one of the new trends in custom built homes is the inclusion of 2 master bedrooms. Sad, but true. Very often, someone who snores does not realize or believe that they do so. Even when others complain about it, the snorer may still say “not me”. They also say things like “I can’t hear it so it not a problem”. It is important for both sides to remember that snorers cannot help the fact that they snore, but they should be willing to treat it so that the whole family can get a good night’s sleep.

A dentist specially trained in sleep medicine can help a sleep apnea patient with a custom-made dental appliance. These dental devices are created specifically to fit each patient to help prevent apnea occurrences.

There are a variety of oral appliances used for OSA. A trained dentist can help you decide which is right for you.

Snoring is usually caused by loose or excessive tissue at the back of the throat which collapses into the airway during sleep. This tissue can vibrate as you breathe, causing the annoying and disruptive noise we all know too well.

In 2006, The American Academy of Sleep Medicine released a position paper stating that oral appliances are a comparable treatment to CPAP for mild and moderate obstructive sleep apnea and a viable replacement therapy for individuals with severe apnea who cannot tolerate CPAP. So, what does this mean to you? If you are unable to wear CPAP for any reason, you now have an alternative therapy you can live with and tolerate.

There are some risk factors that put you at a higher risk of developing OSA. However, it’s important to understand that not having these risk factors doesn’t mean you’re safe from this potentially deadly sleeping disorder. It is entirely possible to have sleep apnea without any of these risk factors. These factors simply mean that you’re at a higher risk of developing the condition.

Risk factors include things such as weight, age, family history, genetics, race, ethnicity, and sex. For example, men tend to be at a higher risk than women. If you’re overweight, you’re more likely to suffer from sleep apnea. If other members of your family have OSA then there’s a good chance you may end up with it as well.

Yes. Sleep apnea can affect anyone. It generally is less common for children to suffer from sleep apnea, but it is possible. If you suspect that your child may have sleep apnea it’s important to test them right away.

It’s important to note that symptoms between children suffering from sleep disorders tend to vary from what you’d expect to see in an adult. For example, excessive daytime sleepiness is less common in kids than it is in adults when it comes to obstructive sleep apnea.

In children, surgery to remove the tonsils and adenoids is the most common treatment.

You should never delay seeking diagnosis and treatment for anyone suffering from obstructive sleep apnea. The longer this sleeping disorder goes untreated, the more dangerous it becomes.

Not necessarily.

Sleep apnea generally doesn’t just go away without treatment unless you resolve what is causing the problem. For example, if your sleep apnea is caused by being overweight and you achieve a healthy weight then you may no longer have sleep apnea and therefore will no longer need treatment.

However, not all cases of sleep apnea are correctable. Sometimes sleep apnea is caused by things outside our control such as the shape or size of the tongue, jaw, and airway. Sometimes these things can be corrected with surgery and sometimes they can’t.

In instances where lifestyle changes aren’t enough to cure your sleep apnea, then continued treatment is necessary for your health. However, there are other treatment options available for those who do not tolerate CPAP therapy well. The primary alternative is the use of a custom oral appliance.

Yes. In fact, all of these things can cause sleep apnea to worsen. However, by avoiding these things you can improve sleep apnea.

For example, sleeping on your side instead of your back can reduce the occurrence of obstruction. Some people go as far as to sew a tennis ball in the back of their pajamas to encourage them to stay on their side throughout the night.

Alcohol consumption or heavy meals close to bed can also worsen OSA. Sleeping pills also run the risk of causing problems. It’s important to remember that you’re feeling tired because of the lack of quality sleep. Your body naturally wakes you if your oxygen levels get too low. The best way to right this course of poor sleep is to treat your sleep apnea.

Not necessarily. Only a few people who snore have OSA, but most people who have OSA snore. When it comes down to it, there are symptoms you should look out for in addition to snoring. Sometimes snoring is just snoring. But when snoring is combined with daytime sleepiness, trouble concentrating, headaches, dry mouth, sore throats, and other common OSA symptoms then you should speak with a healthcare professional.

Due to the nature of oral appliance therapy, custom-made oral appliances can reposition the lower jaw and tongue which is helpful to people with sleep apnea and even those who snore but don’t have sleep apnea.

The first thing to do is to speak with a sleep specialist. This can be a medical doctor specializing in sleep medicine or the experienced staff here at Sleep Better Columbus. We’ll evaluate your symptoms and get you on your path to your sleep study. Through a sleep study, we’ll be able to diagnose the cause of your sleep-related issues and develop a treatment plan.

Our goal is to get you on a treatment plan that works for your lifestyle and comfort level. Taking these things into account increases compliance rates, meaning you’re more likely to follow your treatment plan if it works for you. We’re committed to helping you get the high-quality sleep you deserve in order to live a happy, healthy life.

A CPAP machine is commonly used to treat OSA. CPAP therapy is, unfortunately, less effective at treating central sleep apnea (CSA).

The CPAP machine is a device that uses electricity, an air hose, and a mask to create a steady flow of air into your body. This airflow, called continuous positive airway pressure, creates mild pressure that helps keep your airway open. This in turn allows you to breathe better and consistently throughout the night.

When you suspect that you or a loved one may have sleep apnea, you’ll begin by speaking to your health care provider who will then refer you for a sleep study. Once you’ve undergone the sleep study, the doctor will review the results and recommend treatment.

Your doctor may also want to check you for the common complications associated with undiagnosed sleep apnea including high blood pressure.

Patients diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are commonly prescribed a CPAP machine. However, this is not the only treatment option available. Be sure to discuss other options with your doctor and spend time learning about their pros and cons so you can make an educated decision about your treatment.

Any kind of sleep apnea treatment, including CPAP therapy, generally begins working as soon as you start using it. You’ll quickly notice that you’re sleeping better and start feeling more rested. There may be a slight delay in improvements depending on how long you’ve had undiagnosed sleep apnea. This is simply because your body has a lot of sleep to catch up on.

However, the benefits of OSA treatment help your body as long as you are compliant with the treatment and follow your doctor’s orders. Many of the negative side effects caused by OSA will begin to reverse with consistent treatment compliance.

CPAP therapy is an effective way to treat OSA. That is if the patient tolerates it well.

Patients use a machine connected to a hose and then a mask. The machine delivers continuous pressurized air to help keep the airway open while you’re asleep. It gets its name from this continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Depending on your case, the CPAP mask may cover only the nose or both the mouth and nose.

While this is an effective treatment method, many people do not tolerate the sensation of a steady stream of air. Others find the mask uncomfortable. Some patients or their spouses have difficulties sleeping due to the noise the machine generates. For patients who travel often, finding a CPAP that works effectively and is easy to transport can be a challenge. This is particularly true for those who regularly find themselves in areas without access to electricity.

Living with untreated sleep apnea is very dangerous. Not only does the excessive daytime sleepiness put you at a greater risk of harming yourself, a loved one, or an innocent bystander by increasing the likelihood of an automobile accident or a workplace accident, but it severely impairs your health.

Studies have shown that OSA can decrease your immune system, making you more susceptible to illness. It also can have a major impact on brain function and can even lead to stroke. It also does a number on your heart. It’s not uncommon for OSA to lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, and even heart failure.

Not treating sleep apnea could amount to a death sentence. Don’t risk your health when easy treatment options are available.

The best alternative to CPAP therapy is the use of a custom oral appliance. Here at Sleep Better Columbus, we offer customized, comfortable, oral appliance therapy to help patients who have sleep apnea sleep soundly and comfortably.

Oral appliances prevent the upper airway from collapsing during sleep. This allows the airway to remain open and you to get the quality rest you need. Oral appliance therapy is very effective in treating OSA patients who snore and suffer from mild to moderate OSA.

There are several signs and symptoms of sleep apnea. Many people don’t realize that they are all part of the bigger picture and instead explain them away with a variety of excuses. It’s easy to mistake the signs as symptoms as something else, and this is one of the biggest reasons that so many cases go undiagnosed.

It’s also important to understand that some of these signs and symptoms are confusing. For example, not everyone who snores has OSA. However, many people with OSA snore.

Most patients present with at least a few of these symptoms depending on the severity of their sleep-disordered breathing:

• Snoring
• Waking up gasping for air
• Morning headaches
• Morning dry mouth
• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Trouble concentrating
• Memory difficulties
• Mood swings
• Depression

These are the most common symptoms. However, it is possible that you may have additional symptoms.

Most people experience obstructive sleep apnea symptoms such as excessive daytime drowsiness, waking up with headaches or a sore throat, waking up gasping for air, fatigue after a full night’s sleep, difficulties with memory and concentration, and more. Symptoms vary greatly from person to person but most often are recognized by a family member who sleeps in the same house as the person who suffers from sleep apnea. Witnessing their sleeping experience firsthand and urging them to seek medical advice is one of the most common paths to diagnosis.

The most common signs and symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea include:

1. Snoring.
2. Daytime sleepiness or fatigue.
3. Restlessness during sleep, frequent nighttime awakenings.
4. Sudden awakenings with a sensation of gasping or choking.
5. Dry mouth or sore throat upon awakening.
6. Cognitive impairment, such as trouble concentrating, forgetfulness or irritability.
7. Mood disturbances (depression or anxiety).
8. Night sweats.
9. Frequent nighttime urination.
10. Sexual dysfunction.
11. Headaches.

There are three kinds of sleep apnea.

The most common form of sleep apnea is OSA or obstructive sleep apnea. This occurs when the muscles and tissue around the upper airway relax while you’re asleep and cause an obstruction. When most people speak about sleep apnea, they’re referring to OSA.

Central Sleep Apnea or CSA, is caused when the brain doesn’t send the right signals to the muscles that control breathing. This type of sleep apnea is uncommon.

Complex sleep apnea is a blend of both CSA and OSA.

A sleep specialist will be able to determine which type of sleep apnea you suffer from.

First, understand that you’re not alone. It’s not uncommon for a patient to be uncomfortable with CPAP therapy due to one reason or another.

This is why dentists have worked so hard in the field of sleep medicine to offer an alternative. No one should be forced into using just one treatment method. Especially when that treatment option doesn’t work for everyone.

Treating sleep apnea is about more than just preventing airway collapse. The goal is to improve sleep quality and sleep efficiency. You should be able to get the best sleep you can without having to spend an entire day in bed. Sometimes that just can’t happen with a CPAP device.

The study of the sleep disorder combined with an understanding of the soft palate, tongue, jaw, and throat gave way to a new option: dental appliances.

Untreated sleep apnea can lead to a myriad of health issues including high blood pressure, diabetes, depression, heart attack, heart disease, stroke, and even death. Inadequate rest and oxygen during sleep wreak havoc on the body and mind causing a multitude of problems.

Not only do you risk several health issues by not treating the sleep disorder, but you also become a risk to others. People who suffer from untreated OSA are at a significantly higher risk of causing an automobile accident or being involved in a workplace accident.

When your body experiences sleep apnea it is typically caused by an airway obstruction. This obstruction temporarily halts breathing. For some, this happens hundreds of times per night. When oxygen levels dip, your body will wake you up just enough to correct the problem. Most people don’t even realize this has happened nor do they remember waking. Often partners will describe this process as their partner waking up gasping for air, snorting, or snoring very loudly.

After your body wakes you, you then resume breathing and fall asleep again, only to relax to the point of having another partial airway collapse. This process continues throughout the night. It’s no wonder people who suffer from sleep apnea are exhausted even after they spend what they thought was a full night sleeping.

If you have OSA then there are a few things that happen during an apnea.

First, the airway relaxes causing a full or partial collapse or blockage of the airway that limits or cuts off air. Once your oxygen levels begin to dip, your brain sends a signal to your body that it needs more oxygen. This causes you to wake, though you may not realize you’ve done so.

Once your breathing resumes, you fall back to sleep and the cycle starts again.

Your mind and body continue to go around and around in a cycle of waking and sleeping throughout the night. The combined lack of quality sleep along with the diminished oxygen levels is what leads to a myriad of sleep apnea symptoms.

You’re not alone. There are many OSA patients out there who do not tolerate CPAP therapy well. It can be quite awkward sleeping with a mask and hose attached to your face. Not to mention the fact that the machines make noise, some louder than others.

The sensation of a constant stream of air flowing into you can also take some getting used to. However, it is difficult for some people to acclimate and there’s nothing wrong with that.

The most important thing is to find a sleep apnea treatment that works for you. A CPAP machine does you absolutely no good if you can’t bear to use it. Instead, be open and honest with your medical team. You can also find a dentist specializing in sleep apnea treatment such as the team here at Sleep Better Columbus. We can offer alternative treatments by way of oral appliances to still keep your airway open throughout the night without the hassle of a loud, bulky machine.

A dentist specially trained in sleep medicine can help a sleep apnea patient with a custom-made dental appliance. These dental devices are created specifically to fit each patient to help prevent apnea occurrences.

There are a variety of oral appliances used for OSA. A trained dentist can help you decide which is right for you.