Treating Sleep Apnea: CPAP & its Alternatives
Sleep apnea is a potentially dangerous sleep disorder caused by the obstruction of the airway. It can stop you from sleeping and keep you feeling tired, sapping you from energy, motivation, and livelihood.
Sleep apnea can be serious and it’s recommended you seek treatment if you snore loudly, wake up at night short of breath, or if you feel drowsy throughout the day.
The CPAP is the traditional treatment for sleep apnea. It delivers pressurized air through a mask, helping to keep your airway open so that you can get a good night’s rest. However, many patients dislike their CPAP because it’s bulky, loud, and uncomfortable to wear.
For mild-to-moderate cases of sleep apnea, a snore or mouth guard offers a more convenient, more comfortable solution that is just as effective.
How Sleep Apnea Affects Your Overall Health
Sleep apnea and your overall health go hand-in-hand. In fact, they can reinforce each other. People who are overweight are more likely to suffer from sleep apnea, and people with sleep apnea are more likely to suffer from high blood pressure, heart disease, and weight gain.
Up to 80% of patients with type 2 diabetes also experience sleep apnea, while the sleep disorder can also raise the likelihood of adult asthma and acid reflux.
It’s important to seek treatment for sleep apnea if you experience its symptoms precisely because of these connections. Sleep apnea, if left untreated, can kill. And with solutions as convenient as an oral appliance, there’s no excuse for not taking the step that can completely change your life for the better.
Sleep Apnea & Snoring
Many people, about 90 million Americans, snore in their sleep. About half of all people who snore suffer from obstructive sleep apnea. The two are often confused, which is why many people affected by sleep apnea never seek treatment. It’s important to have a proper sleep study done so that your condition can be accurately diagnosed and treated.
Note that both sleep apnea and snoring can be relieved with treatment. The device that is right for you, and would provide the best results, depends on the diagnosis.
The first step to changing your life and your partner’s — they suffer the consequences of your snoring as well! — starts with a sleep study. We would be happy to refer you to a sleep specialist we know and trust.