Why Patients Can’t Comply with CPAP
If you suspect you have symptoms of sleep apnea, then receiving a proper diagnosis is the first step in finding proper treatment. Depending on the severity of your sleep apnea, treatment can range from CPAP therapy, oral appliances, or even simple lifestyle changes.
Generally, if you’re diagnosed with sleep apnea, your doctor will first prescribe you a CPAP mask. A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine is attached to a mask that’s worn over your face at night as it blows gentle air through your lungs to open up your breathing airway.
Although it’s known as the most common treatment method for OSA, CPAP is often complained to be extremely uncomfortable, bulky, claustrophobic, and irritating to the skin. Research has found that nearly half or more of CPAP users don’t persistently use it at night or completely stop using it overall.
Luckily, there are alternatives that Dr. Guinn can help you determine which is best for you.
A Smaller Solution with Oral Appliances
After you’ve tried CPAP and want to find a more comfortable, effective solution, then an oral appliance may be right for you. Here at our Pasadena dental office, we can custom-craft an oral appliance that fits right onto your teeth.
This dental made mouthpiece works by moving your lower jaw forward, just enough to clear the obstruction blocking your airway. Patients prefer an oral appliance over CPAP because they are:
- Smaller and fit precisely to the patient’s teeth
- Portable and don’t make any noise
- Easy to use to highly-effective
If you suffer from mild to moderate sleep apnea, oral appliances are a preferable, non-invasive way to help improve the quality and comfort of your sleep.
Additional Treatments for OSA
Discovering which method of treatment is best for you and your sleep disorder is crucial for your health. There are additional ways you can help mitigate your symptoms, while also using CPAP or an oral appliance, that will provide you with lifelong benefits.
Losing weight, eating healthy, avoiding alcohol and sleeping pills, and quitting smoking are all small steps you can take to help diminish your sleep apnea symptoms, as well as improve your general health.
Depending on the source of your sleep apnea, positional therapy can also be a huge aid that stops you from snoring and experiencing pauses in your breath. You can also practice throat and mouth exercises that will help tone the muscles along your airway and open it up.
If your symptoms are more severe, sometimes your doctor may recommend surgery for a more permanent solution, although surgeries are rare to have. They’ll typically be the last resort if symptoms persist and may include nasal surgery, uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), and mandibular maxillomandibular advancement surgery.
Whichever method of treatment is right for you, Dr. Guinn can help you determine your best options. Schedule your consultation today so you can regain your energy and live your life to the fullest again.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sleep Apnea
How Can I Treat OSA?
Once you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea, you may initially be recommended a CPAP mask. Although they work for many patients, others find it to be bulky, loud, and inconvenient.
At The Smile Agency, we offer alternative treatments like an oral appliance that helps clear your obstructed airway at just a small, comfortable size similar to a sports mouthguard. Dr. Guinn may also recommend other methods to alleviate your condition depending on your case.
What Happens If I Don't Treat My Sleep Apnea?
If sleep apnea treatment is neglected, you may be at higher risk for:
- High blood pressure
- Strokes
- Heart failure
- Type 2 diabetes
- Depression
- Decreased libido
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Decreased quality of life