Personalized Sleep Apnea Treatment
Sleep apnea is a serious condition that affects millions of Americans of all ages and lifestyles. Whether in the form of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) or Central Sleep Apnea (CSA), it is a sleep-related breathing disorder and requires a sleep study (at home or in a sleep lab) in order to be properly diagnosed. At our Olympia, WA sleep and wellness center, we provide a thoughtful treatment approach custom-designed to meet your needs.
No two sleep apnea patients have the same symptoms, sleep habits, medical problems, and oral health, so every treatment plan will differ. If you’d like to learn more about dental solutions for sleep apnea, please read on and contact our office with any questions.
We will only know the best treatment plan for you after a thorough evaluation, exam, and diagnostic testing. During this process, Dr. Bath will review your sleep study findings, get your medical history, and listen to what’s going on with you regarding your quality of sleep and your experience of the symptoms.
What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive Sleep Apnea, with its vast array of signs and symptoms, is the most common form of sleep apnea and is associated with the position of your mouth, jaw, and airway while you sleep. People with OSA often wake up choking and gasping for air, experiencing pauses in breathing that may last for several seconds and may happen hundreds of times throughout the night. These pauses in breathing occur because, during sleep, the airway of someone experiencing obstructive sleep apnea becomes so relaxed that the tissue collapses and blocks the airway.
Common signs and symptoms of OSA include:
– Choking/gasping for air
– Insomnia/waking up during the night
– Snoring
– Dry mouth upon waking
– Daytime sleepiness/fatigue
– Headache/poor concentration
– Memory problems
– Mood swings
Long-Term Effects of Untreated OSA
Research has consistently shown a definitive link between Obstructive Sleep Apnea and:
– Type 2 Diabetes
– Stroke
– Heat attack and other cardiovascular problems
– Shortened life span
– Obesity
– Depression
– Anxiety
– High blood pressure (hypertension)
– Kidney damage (renal failure)
– Type 2 Diabetes
– Stroke
– Heat attack and other cardiovascular problems
– Shortened life span
– Obesity
– Depression
– Anxiety
– High blood pressure (hypertension)
– Kidney damage (renal failure)
According to medical professionals, obesity is a common co-occurring condition with sleep apnea and dramatically increases the risks of diabetes, stroke, and heart attack. Many obese people have this condition, and many people who suffer from Obstructive Sleep Apnea are obese.
That is not to say that physically fit people can’t have OSA; people in excellent physical condition can develop sleep-related breathing disorders like OSA. There are many factors to consider when diagnosing Obstructive Sleep Apnea, and for this reason, a sleep study is needed in order to receive an OSA diagnosis. In the past, sleep studies could only be performed at a sleep lab. You would have to sleep in a strange place, hooked up with wires to a machine, and in the presence of people you’ve never met – conditions that don’t make for a restful night of sleep.
Thankfully, advanced sleep study technology now allows you to have a two-night sleep study done in the privacy of your own bedroom. Following your diagnosis, Dr. Bath will share his knowledge and expertise in sleep apnea dentistry and discuss the various treatment options.
Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT)
While CPAP remains a common form of sleep apnea treatment, for many the negative effects outweigh the positive. The most popular and effective CPAP alternative currently available is oral appliance therapy. It involves wearing a custom-designed oral appliance (at night or whenever you sleep) to keep your jaw in its optimal position and allow your airway to stay open. At our Olympia, WA sleep and wellness center, we use ProSomnus® oral appliances.
Oral Appliance Therapy keeps your jaw in the ideal position in order to maintain an open airway, benefiting everyone regardless of age or OSA severity. We even treat children using the HealthyStart® System, which helps maintain the proper jaw position for kids with this condition.
You’ll simply fit the custom-designed appliance in your mouth, and your jaw will be gently forced into its optimal position while you sleep. You’ll occasionally hear oral appliance devices called “splints” or “mouth guards.” Regardless of their name, they provide a convenient and effective solution. They’re portable, easy to maintain, and take a very short time to get used to wearing. Plus, if you follow the appropriate cleaning procedures, your oral appliance should last for many years.
Risk Factors of Sleep Apnea
As with most medical conditions, some people are more at risk of developing Obstructive Sleep Apnea than others. The Sleep Foundation website indicates these risk factors for OSA:
– Age: People in their 60’s and 70’s are more likely to develop OSA.
– Gender: Women are less likely to develop OSA than men.
– Head and neck anatomy: Obstructive sleep apnea occurs more frequently in people with a large tongue and a short lower jaw.
– Weight: Studies indicate a correlation between a higher body mass index (BMI) and OSA.
– Cigarette smoking: Smokers have a higher likelihood of developing OSA than non-smokers.
– Sleeping position: Sleep apnea may be more prevalent in those who sleep on their back.
– Family history: A family history of OSA can increase a person’s risk of developing it.
– Regular alcohol consumption is associated with an elevated risk of OSA.
– People with certain medical problems, including some heart and lung conditions, are more likely to develop OSA (or the OSA may worsen due to certain medical conditions).
Sleep Apnea Treatment in Olympia
As the number of people diagnosed continues to grow, more and more are looking for affordable, effective treatment. Whether it’s simple behavior modifications, changes in sleep habits, CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure), or Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT), treatment options are available as soon as you’re ready to begin. At our Olympia, WA sleep and wellness center, we pride ourselves on educating and training our team on the latest treatment modalities.
Learn More About Obstructive Sleep Apnea
If you live in or around Olympia, please call (360) 493-1866. One of our team members will reach out soon to answer any questions you may have or to assist with scheduling your new patient appointment.
