Treating Sleep Apnea

Dangerous Disorder

Sleep apnea has the potential to be dangerous for a sufferer’s health. Because the patient is not aware they are waking up from lack of oxygen so often, the person can be plagued by constant fatigue without knowledge of the source. When a patient is waking up several hundred times a night, their blood pressure can rise to dangerous levels, potentially contributing to a heart attack or stroke.

While breathing interruptions can be an unhealthy danger for the affected, the loud snoring that accompanies sleep apnea and affect a whole household, causing undesirable consequences for the patient’s lifestyle and other facets of their health.

Treatment of Sleep Apnea

Fortunately, there are various treatment options available to treat sleep apnea. One that people have often heard of is the often prescribed continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine which consists of a mask connected to an apparatus that the affected will wear while sleeping. The CPAP machine increases air pressure in a patient’s throat to keep the airway from collapsing. A person will snore when the airway collapses after exhaling so the CPAP machine helps prevent that. Flaws with the CPAP machine is that some patients find it loud and cumbersome. A person who travels may find it is difficult to travel with and light sleepers may be kept awake by the noise. While light sleepers may find it a further hindrance to a night of good sleep, patients who adjust to the mask and noise created by the machine will find that it is a wonderful and effective non-surgical solution.  CPAP machines have been found to deduce daytime fatigue and low blood pressure.

Another wearable option created by a dentist or orthodontist is a fitted mouth device. Like the CPAP machine, the mouth device is worn while sleeping and repositions either the jaw or tongue so the airway remains unobstructed. The can be quite effective and perfect for people who find the CPAP machine to be too intrusive. Mouth devices tend to be more ideal for mild to moderate cases.

A new option in treatment to treat sleep apnea is the Fotona laser. This laser creates a gentle tightening effect in the palate of a patient by enhancing collagen in the oral mucosa tissue. The end result is a widening of the airway so obstruction is less likely.

A newer approach to treating sleep apnea is the Fotona laser. This is a non-surgical “rejuvenating” laser, which tightens the tissue in the palate by enhancing collagen. This widens out the airway, lessening the source of the airway obstruction. There are no appliances to wear and consists of only three treatments. Results last up to a year and can be repeated as necessary.

Which Option Is Best For Me?

Each sleep apnea case is individual, with different patients, different lifestyles, and different outcomes as a result of sleep apnea. Some patients find certain treatments more effective or more desirable. Each patient will require unique care to determine their needs and wants. The end result is always to better the quality of the patient’s sleep and life, how we reach that result is going to vary by patient.

If you have been diagnosed or think you may have sleep apnea, make an appointment with us today to help determine your best course of treatment for a more restful sleep!