Alternatives to CPAP With Dr. Shlafer
Sleep apnea is a disorder that obstructs your airway while you sleep, constantly interfering with your ability to breathe. This causes you to wake up constantly throughout the night, often without even realizing it.
It’s a serious condition that can lead to long-term health consequences without treatment. Unfortunately, many patients don’t realize they have sleep apnea until they take a sleep test. Explore our guide to learn more about sleep apnea and how Dr. Shlafer can relieve your symptoms with an oral appliance.
Risk Factors for Sleep Apnea
It’s especially crucial to be aware of any potential sleep apnea symptoms if you fall into one or more of the following categories:
- Male
- Over 40
- Overweight
- Large neck circumference
- Family history of sleep apnea
If any of these common risk factors apply to you, we recommend undergoing a sleep test for the sake of precaution.
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea can lead to a variety of debilitating symptoms, including:
- Loud, frequent snoring
- Gasping or choking sounds while you sleep
- Fatigue and drowsiness during the day
- Headaches in the morning
- Short-term memory problems
- Lack of attention span
- Decreased libido
Call our office right away if you're experiencing any of these symptoms.
Sleep Apnea Treatment & CPAP Alternatives
In order to determine if you suffer from sleep apnea, you’ll have to take a sleep test and review the results with a qualified sleep doctor. If you’re diagnosed with sleep apnea, it’s important to seek treatment right away. Give us a call at (248) 781-0040 to schedule your consultation with Dr. Shlafer at our Farmington Hills practice today.
CPAP Machine
Often, the first solution a doctor will recommend is a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. This machine pumps pressurized air through a mask that’s worn over your nose while you sleep, forcing your airway to remain open and allowing you to breathe normally.
Though it can be effective when used properly, many patients find it too loud and uncomfortable. As a result, they end up not using it consistently and negating the positive effects.
Oral Appliance Therapy
For a more comfortable and less invasive solution, Dr. Shlafer is happy to offer oral appliance therapy. These 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, while wearing a CPAP mask forces you to sleep on your back. In combination with moderate lifestyle changes such as losing weight or drinking less alcohol, an oral appliance will eliminate your symptoms and protect your health.
Benefits of an Oral Appliance
Oral appliances, also known as mandibular adjustment devices (MAD), offer several benefits over CPAP and other sleep apnea treatments, including:
- More comfortable
- Less invasive
- Easily portable
- Affordable
- No surgery required
- Dry mouth
- Dry nose/nose bleeds
- Headaches
- Lung discomfort due to the temperature of the CPAP air
- Dizziness
- Infections
- Mask leaks
- Discomfort
- Claustrophobia
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. Here are a few natural remedies you may want to consider when treating sleep apnea:
- Positional therapy
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Exercising regularly
- Avoid alcohol and smoking
- Use a humidifier
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.
The 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.
Some lifestyle modifications may help to reduce symptoms, but they typically need to be used in combination with another treatment to be effective.
If left untreated, sleep apnea can cause several issues such as weight gain, memory problems, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and headaches. In addition to health problems, people with chronic fatigue are more likely to cause motor vehicle accidents.
Fortunately, Dr. Shlafer can help. If you’re experiencing sleep apnea symptoms, schedule a consultation with Dr. Shlafer by calling (248) 781-0040. During the consultation, he’ll examine your symptoms and determine if you would benefit from a sleep study.
If you are diagnosed with sleep apnea, Dr. Shlafer can explain your treatment options so you can make an informed decision.
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 for a better understanding of your benefits.
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.
Call our office in Farmington Hills at (248) 781-0040 and schedule a free consultation today. We look forward to helping you get the quality sleep you deserve.
Yvonne Miller
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