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Your Guide to Sleep Apnea Treatment

 

CPAP Alternatives With Dr. Kaspo

 Sleep apnea is a common disorder that interrupts your breathing overnight. It’s caused by a blockage in your airway that triggers your brain to wake up so you don’t choke. This pattern can repeat constantly throughout the night, preventing you from getting the restorative sleep you need to function. That’s why it’s crucial to treat sleep apnea as soon as you notice symptoms.

 Explore our guide to learn about the causes and symptoms of sleep apnea, as well as our treatment solutions. 

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea can cause a wide variety of symptoms that affect your mental and physical health. Some of the most common include: 

  • Loud, frequent snoring 
  • Gasping or choking sounds while you sleep
  • Morning headaches
  • Fatigue and drowsiness during the day
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Irritability 
  • Short-term memory problems
  • Decreased libido 

Risk Factors For Sleep Apnea

There are a few factors that have been shown to significantly increase your risk of developing sleep apnea. Monitor yourself closely for symptoms if you fit into any of the following categories: 

  • Male
  • Overweight 
  • More than 40 years old 
  • Large neck circumference 
  • Family history of sleep apnea

Treatment Solutions

The first step towards getting treatment for sleep apnea is to take a sleep test and review the results with a qualified sleep doctor. Sleep tests can be completed in a professional facility or in the comfort of your own home, depending on your preferences. Once you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea, you can visit our office so Dr. Kaspo can begin developing your personalized treatment plan.

The most common treatment for sleep apnea is a CPAP mask. Worn over your nose while you sleep, this mask is attached to a machine that pumps a continuous stream of pressurized air into your lungs. This keeps your airway open and allows you to breathe freely throughout the night.

However, many patients find CPAP masks too bulky or uncomfortable to sleep with. The machine also makes a loud noise and you have to disconnect your mask every time you get up, then reconnect it when you get back. To make matters even worse, CPAP machines are extremely inconvenient to travel with and force you to always sleep on your back. As a result, the long-term compliance rate for CPAP treatment is very low.

Oral Appliance Therapy

As a more comfortable and convenient alternative to CPAP treatment, Dr. Kaspo is happy to offer oral appliance therapy at our practice. Customized to fit your mouth perfectly, these devices gently shift your lower jaw forward and keep your airway unobstructed while you sleep.

Unlike CPAP machines, oral appliances are comfortable, silent, and easily portable. You can also sleep in any position you’d like, and you won’t have to worry about connecting or disconnecting anything when you get up.

In combination with some moderate changes to your lifestyle, such as eating a healthier diet and getting more exercise, an oral appliance will provide the relief you need to sleep soundly through the night.

Visit Facial Pain & Sleep Center For Sleep Apnea Treatment

If you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea, don’t settle for a CPAP mask. Instead, Dr. Kaspo can customize an oral appliance just for you. By choosing an oral appliance, you can eliminate your sleep apnea symptoms without sacrificing your comfort. 

Call our practice in Troy, MI at (248) 519-1100 or fill out a contact form to schedule your consultation with Dr. Kaspo.

 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Is sleep apnea dangerous?

Without treatment, sleep apnea poses a serious risk to your health. The disorder can manifest in a wide variety of symptoms that affect your mental and physical health. In the short term, you’ll likely experience headaches, fatigue, and other symptoms that make it difficult to function. Your risk for making a dangerous mistake, such as falling asleep while driving, greatly increases.

Over the long term, sleep apnea can result in even more severe consequences for your health. Among other issues, sleep apnea has been linked to heart disease, strokes, diabetes, and liver problems. That’s why it’s crucial to get treatment as soon as you can.

Does sleep apnea cause weight gain?

Unfortunately, weight gain is one of the most common symptoms of sleep apnea. At the same time, being overweight significantly increases your risk of developing sleep apnea in the first place. This can result in a vicious cycle that makes it difficult to manage your symptoms. 

To minimize your risk for sleep apnea, in addition to many other health problems, do your best to keep your weight under control. If you already have sleep apnea, losing weight is one of the best ways to reduce your symptoms. When you visit Dr. Kaspo for a consultation, he’ll give you advice on how to eat healthy and find fun ways to exercise.

Will an oral appliance help my snoring if I don’t have sleep apnea?

Yes! Even if your snoring is caused by a factor that’s unrelated to sleep apnea, oral appliances are still highly effective. By keeping your airway unobstructed and ensuring your flow of oxygen isn’t interrupted, these devices can help any patient who snores find relief.

Will insurance pay for my oral appliance?

In most cases, yes! Sleep apnea treatment is recognized as a medical issue and sleep apnea appliances are typically categorized as essential medical equipment by your insurance provider. As a result, insurance will typically cover most or all of your treatment. However, it’s important to keep in mind that the amount of coverage you receive can vary depending on the terms of your individual plan.