I hate my CPAP!

 CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) is often the first line of treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Sleep apnea is a common disorder that causes pauses in breathing or shallow breaths while you sleep. As a result, not enough air reaches your lungs.
In obstructive sleep apnea, your airway collapses or is blocked during sleep. When you try to breathe, any air that squeezes past the blockage can cause loud snoring. Your snoring may wake other people in the house, but it can also be a sign of serious medical conditions.
If left untreated, people with OSA are at risk of many health complications.  Some of these health complications include: premature death, two times the risk of stroke, diabetes, weight gain, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, depression and 23 times the risk of heart attack.  Yes, 23 times the risk of heart attack.  Compared to other triggers of heart attack like obesity (seven times the risk of heart attack) smoking two packs/day (11 times the risk of heart attack) OSA is a much bigger risk that is many times going untreated.
In addition to lifestyle, such as good sleep hygiene, exercise and weight loss, there are three primary way to treat snoring and OSA: CPAP, Oral Appliance Therapy and Surgery.  Oral appliances that treat snoring and obstructive sleep apnea are small devices that are worn in the mouth, similar to orthodontic retainers. These appliances help prevent the collapse of the tongue and soft tissues in the back of the throat, keeping the airway open during sleep and promoting adequate air intake.
Many patients with moderate to severe OSA are intolerant or refuse treatment with CPAP. In those cases the most common choice is Oral Appliance therapy.  Oral appliances that treat snoring and obstructive sleep apnea are small devices that are worn in the mouth, similar to orthodontic retainers.  These appliances help prevent the collapse of the tongue and soft tissues in the back of the throat, keeping the airway open during sleep and promoting adequate air intake.
We at Promenade Dentistry, along with your sleep physician will work together with you to determine the best course of therapy.  To learn more abut dental sleep medicine and the oral appliance that may be right for you call us for a complimentary consultation.  For more information, please call 661-222-2242.