If you can’t tolerate CPAP in Tulsa, struggling with your mask or machine does not mean you should give up on treating sleep apnea. CPAP is an effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnea, but some patients have difficulty using it comfortably and consistently.
Depending on your diagnosis and individual needs, another treatment approach may be appropriate. At Healthy Sleep Tulsa, we help patients understand options such as custom oral appliance therapy and combined treatment while keeping their medical sleep care connected to the appropriate healthcare providers.
Despite its prevalence, sleep apnea remains widely misunderstood. One of the main reasons for this is that individuals experience the condition while they are asleep, leading many to be unaware of their condition. However, sleep apnea can significantly impact the quality of one’s sleep and overall quality of life. Continue reading to learn about some lesser-known facts about sleep apnea.
Sleep Apnea Is Fairly Common
You probably know someone who suffers from sleep apnea, as it is a relatively common condition. Estimates suggest that approximately 8-16% of adults exhibit symptoms of sleep apnea, although the exact prevalence is difficult to determine due to the challenges of diagnosis.
Shockingly, a study published in Sleep Medicine suggests that around 90% of sleep apnea cases go undiagnosed. If you frequently snore and experience poor sleep quality, it may be worth discussing with your dentist the possibility of being screened for sleep apnea.
Sleep Apnea Can Affect Your Mood
Sleep apnea can cause individuals to wake up numerous times throughout the night, leading to disrupted and non-restorative sleep. The chronic sleep deprivation that follows can have a significant impact on a person’s well-being, particularly their mood.
Over time, these effects can compound. Those who have sleep apnea are at a significantly higher risk of experiencing depression or anxiety compared to those without the condition.
CPAP Machines Are Not the Only Solution
If you’ve encountered individuals with sleep apnea, you might be familiar with CPAP machines. This stands for continuous positive airway pressure, and these devices consist of small pumps connected to masks, which deliver positive air pressure to facilitate easier breathing and improve sleep quality.
However, not everyone finds CPAP machines convenient due to their bulkiness. Fortunately, sleep dentists can create custom oral appliances that fit inside the mouth during sleep. These appliances work by adjusting the jaw position and opening the airway. While oral appliances may not be suitable for everyone, they offer a more comfortable alternative for managing sleep apnea symptoms.
