Sleep apnea affects millions of adults in the US, but a shockingly low percentage of people know what it is and how it’s treated. The Stop Snoring Lawton team is always here to help answer your questions about sleep apnea causes, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment, but we’ve also collected answers to some of the questions we hear most often below. Don’t hesitate to give us a call, if you need more information or don’t see your question below.
Snoring occurs when there is vibration in the soft tissue in the throat or nasal and sinus passages as you breathe in and out at night. This may occur for any number of reasons, and not all of these reasons have to do with sleep apnea. However, while not all snorers have sleep apnea, almost all sleep apnea sufferers snore. Sleep apnea occurs when patients stop breathing for ten or more seconds at a time during the night. The most common form of this sleep disorder, occurs due to obstructions blocking the airway. This can lead to loud, chronic snoring.
There are two main types of sleep apnea – central (CSA) and obstructive (OSA). CSA occurs when the brain fails to trigger the body to breathe during sleep. This is a neurological issue, and it can be extremely dangerous. You’ll need to receive treatment immediately to protect yourself. OSA is much more common, and it is caused by a physical obstruction of the airway. In rare cases, patients suffer from a combination of both forms of sleep apnea.
You’ll need to undergo an extensive sleep study where apnea events can be monitored and recorded to let our team know how often they occur, how long they last, and why they happen. Before we recommend this more advanced service, you can assess your risk for the disorder by taking the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. This is a great way to learn more about the symptoms of sleep apnea, and whether or not you’re likely to be suffering from this condition. After completing this assessment, contact our team to schedule a consultation. We’ll review your Epworth questionnaire and complete a thorough evaluation to help you decided whether or not it’s necessary to proceed with an in-office or take-home sleep study.
You don’t have to visit a sleep dentist, but if you’re not receiving adequate relief or improved quality of sleep from your CPAP system, your physician may refer you to a sleep dentist. If we determine oral appliance therapy is good option for you, we can begin planning your treatment right away.
CPAP is a common treatment option for sleep apnea sufferers. These systems keep the airway clear by forcing air into the lungs through the night. Many patients struggle to adjust to the loud sounds and possibly uncomfortable sensations associated with CPAP therapy. If you’re one of the many CPAP intolerant patients, an oral appliance may be a viable treatment alternative. Rather than forcing air into your airway, these appliances clear the obstruction allowing you to breathe deeply during sleep. Our comfortable, portable oral appliances are custom crafted and they provide effective relief of apnea symptoms for most patients.
In most cases, you’ll be able to use your medical insurance, Medicare or Medicare Supplemental Insurance to cover all or part of the costs of sleep apnea diagnosis and treatment. Our caring team will help you process and file your claims to ensure you receive maximum coverage.