Protect the Quality of Your Sleep
If your bed partner complains of heavy snoring or you find yourself constantly tired during the day, it could be a sign of sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder in which you stop breathing repeatedly throughout the night. When your brain recognizes the lack of oxygen, it will jolt you awake so that you can breathe. This can occur up to 30 times or more over the course of the night, but many patients are unaware of its occurrence.
Thankfully, Dr. Shlafer provides effective sleep apnea treatment. If left untreated, this condition can wreak havoc on your sleep cycle and the repeated lack of oxygen can have detrimental effects on your brain and body.
To get a proper diagnosis for treatment, you’ll have to undergo a sleep study. This will allow Dr. Shlafer to provide the most effective treatment plan tailored to your unique situation. Unfortunately, many patients don’t realize they suffer from a sleep disorder until they take a sleep test or study. If your sleep apnea is caused by an obstruction, we can help you find relief.
Explore our guide to learn more about obstructive sleep apnea and how Dr. Shlafer can relieve your symptoms with an oral appliance.
Over 22 million Americans suffer from one of the three forms of sleep apnea. While each interferes with your breathing, the causes and treatment course differ between the types.
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): This occurs when your throat muscles relax and cause your tongue to fall back into the airway which creates a blockage. This causes you to wake up repeatedly throughout the night. The goal of treatment is to remove or prevent the obstruction so you can breathe properly.
- Central Sleep Apnea (CSA): This is a less common form of sleep apnea. The brain tries to signal the muscles responsible for breathing to act, but your body doesn’t respond as it’s supposed to, leading to irregular breathing. This form of sleep apnea cannot be treated by a dentist as this condition typically is a secondary condition brought about by an underlying cause such as a neurological issue. Treatments usually consist of a combination of medication, CPAP, and lifestyle changes and are designed to address the underlying cause while helping you breathe easier at night.
- Mixed (Complex) Sleep Apnea (MSA): If you exhibit symptoms of both types of sleep apnea, this could mean your sleep apnea is due to both an obstruction and an underlying condition. Treatment may involve addressing both issues.
Loud and frequent snoring is one of the most common indications of sleep apnea. However, not everyone who snores suffers from a sleep disorder. Sleep apnea can have a variety of debilitating symptoms, including:
- Frequent gasping or choking while you sleep
- Waking up with a sore or dry throat
- Fatigue and drowsiness during the day
- Mood changes, like depression or irritability
- Headaches in the morning
- Short-term memory problems
- Difficulty concentrating
- Lack of attention span
- Lack of energy and motivation
- Frequent urination at night
- Decreased libido
- Nighttime sweating
- Weight gain
Call our Farmington office right away if you're experiencing any of these symptoms𑁋you may be suffering from sleep apnea. Taking a sleep study is the only way to get a proper diagnosis and receive the quality care you need.
Any person can be affected by sleep apnea regardless of age or gender. However, certain risk factors make you more susceptible to sleep apnea. It’s especially crucial to be aware of any potential symptoms if you fall into one or more of the following categories:
- Biological male
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Smoking or tobacco use
- Over 40 years old
- Nasal congestion
- Overweight or obese
- Large neck circumference
- A narrowed airway
- Family history of sleep apnea
If any of these common factors apply to you, we recommend undergoing a sleep study as a precaution. This will evaluate your quality of sleep and measure specific factors, like snoring, breathing levels, and body movements. It’s typically conducted at an overnight sleep facility by a qualified physician.
If left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to considerable health problems𑁋both mental and physical. Sleep apnea causes a reduction in your oxygen levels, which impacts your ability to function correctly. This leaves you more susceptible to additional complications, including:
- High blood pressure
- Type 2 diabetes
- Anxiety and depression
- ADHD
- Cognitive dysfunction
- Cardiovascular disease
- Stroke
- Premature death
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Sleep apnea can also have a particularly detrimental effect on children and pregnant patients. Seeking professional treatment early on will help relieve your symptoms and prevent further health problems down the line. Contact our Farmington Hills, MI office to schedule your consultation with Dr. Shlafer by calling (248) 781-0040 today.
Sleep Apnea Treatment & CPAP Alternatives
Once you receive a proper diagnosis, Dr. Shlafer will review your test results and help you determine a solution based on your needs and preferences. We’ll always work to understand your condition to determine the best, most effective sleep apnea treatment for your health.
CPAP Machine
The first, most commonly prescribed solution is a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, which works by pumping pressurized air through a mask that’s worn over your nose while you sleep. This machine forces your airway to remain open and allows you to breathe normally. This makes it incredibly effective with any form of sleep apnea—even in severe cases.
Though it can be effective when used properly, many patients complain that their CPAP machine is too loud, restrictive, awkward-to-use, and uncomfortable. As a result, they end up not using it consistently and negating its positive effects.
Oral Appliance Therapy
For a more comfortable and less invasive solution, Dr. Shlafer is happy to offer oral appliance therapy. These small, non-invasive devices gently shift your jaw forward, keeping your airway open and preventing your tongue from collapsing and blocking airflow. All of our oral appliances are custom-made to fit your mouth comfortably and improve your sleep.
Oral appliances are comfortable to wear, easy to travel with, and totally silent. They also allow you to sleep in any position you want, unlike CPAP, which forces you to sleep on your back. In combination with moderate lifestyle changes such as losing weight or drinking less alcohol, an oral appliance can eliminate your symptoms and protect your health.
Oral appliances, also known as mandibular adjustment devices (MAD), offer several benefits over CPAP and other sleep apnea treatments, including:
- More comfortable
- Less invasive
- Silent
- Inconspicuous
- Easily portable
- Affordable
- Easy-to-Use
- No surgery required
Natural Sleep Apnea Solutions
Dr. Shlafer may incorporate lifestyle changes into your sleep apnea treatment plan to significantly reduce your symptoms. Some effective natural remedies include:
- Getting regular exercise and following a nutritional, well-balanced diet are effective ways to lose weight and reduce excess tissue blocking the airway.
- Using positional therapy, or adjusting your sleeping position, can be used to improve your breathing patterns and alleviate snoring.
- Practicing mouth and throat exercises can ease the effects of sleep apnea by strengthening the muscles along your airway.
- Limiting alcohol consumption and reducing or avoiding smoking can help reduce the severity of your condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
While the CPAP machine has been trusted for decades in treating sleep apnea, the equipment can be a hassle. Some known side effects of using a CPAP machine include:
- Dry mouth
- Dry nose/nose bleeds
- Headaches
- Lung discomfort due to the temperature of the CPAP air
- Dizziness
- Infections
- Mask leaks
- Discomfort
- Claustrophobia
Fortunately, there are safe and effective alternatives to using the CPAP machine, so you can address your sleep apnea and sleep comfortably. With a customized oral device, you can sleep soundly without all the side effects of a CPAP machine.
Studies show that around 50% of people will eventually stop using their CPAP machines, mostly because they’re uncomfortable and inconvenient. While it’s not recommended to completely quit receiving treatment for sleep apnea, there are alternative options you can pursue.
With a customized oral appliance, you can conveniently reclaim your nights without the hassle of all the side effects of a CPAP machine. If you’re interested in learning more about an oral appliance, schedule a consultation with Dr. Shlafer by calling (248) 781-0040.
There are natural remedies to help treat sleep apnea, but they’re more effective in combination with professional treatment. Natural remedies you may want to consider when treating sleep apnea include:
- Positional therapy
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Exercising regularly
- Avoid alcohol and smoking
- Use a humidifier
Sleep apnea is classified as mild, moderate, or severe depending on the number of times an hour that your breathing stops or becomes shallow. Five to 15 times per hour is considered mild, 15 to 30 is moderate, and more than 30 to 40 per hour is considered severe.
Although not all cases are considered severe, it’s still important to treat the disorder so you can avoid the long-term effects associated with sleep apnea.
TThe only way to cure sleep apnea is to have a uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, or UPP surgery, to remove excess tissue from the pharynx and soft palate. However, the surgery is invasive and is only performed as a last resort.
Some lifestyle modifications may help to reduce symptoms, but they typically need to be used in combination with another treatment to be effective.
While most patients with obstructive sleep apnea are overweight, there are some exceptions. Patients with a narrowed airway also suffer from the disorder, regardless of size. As many as 90% of people who have obstructive sleep apnea are unaware that they have it. The disorder is largely associated with overweight men, so people who have it may not even think it’s a possibility.
Depending on your coverage, your insurance company may help cover all or a portion of the expenses for an oral appliance. For a better understanding of your coverage, we suggest contacting your provider prior to your appointment.
If you have any questions we can answer, be sure to contact our office by calling (248) 781-0040 and one of our knowledgeable team members will assist you.
Visit Dr. Shlafer for Sleep Apnea Treatment
Whether you’ve recently been diagnosed with sleep apnea or you’ve been struggling with your CPAP machine for years, Dr. Shlafer can help you get the restorative rest you need with a comfortable oral appliance.
Give us a call at (248) 781-0040 to schedule your complimentary consultation or stop by to meet our exceptional team of dentists. We proudly serve patients from Canton, Plymouth, Southfield, Franklin, Beverly Hills, and throughout Michigan.
Don’t wait, come and see how dentistry is done differently at Roman Shlafer, DDS.
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