We Treat Sleep Apnea and Snoring
Many patients believe that sleep apnea and snoring are two terms for the same condition. This is a common misunderstanding. Snoring is simply the sound caused by the vibration of throat tissues that occurs as a patient breathes during sleep. While heavy snoring is a significant symptom of sleep apnea, snoring itself doesn’t necessarily mean you have sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea is a serious condition that requires medical attention. It causes you to wake up multiple times during sleep and deprives your brain and body of oxygen. If you feel anxious, restless, or fatigued during the day, you could be suffering from sleep apnea at night.
Whether your heavy snoring is a sign of sleep apnea or not, our Greensboro sleep dentist Dr. Katz will make sure you get the correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Alternatives to CPAP
A CPAP machine delivers a steady stream of air through the patient’s airway in order to maintain a constant airflow. It’s a very effective treatment for cases of severe sleep apnea. Unfortunately, most patients stop using their CPAP machine after less than a year. A common complaint is that CPAP is bulky, noisy, and difficult to use comfortably.
To help patients keep on track with their treatment, doctors often prescribe an oral appliance for patients with mild to moderate cases of sleep apnea. Oral appliances are custom-made devices that fit in your mouth and resemble a retainer. Oral appliances are silent, portable, easy to use, and comfortable. They’re discreet enough to bring them anywhere you choose to sleep, from home to planes to travel destinations.
In addition to treating mild to moderate sleep apnea, oral appliances can also be used to treat snoring and teeth grinding that is associated with TMJ Disorder.
The Risks of Ignoring Your Sleep Apnea
Your sleep apnea isn’t going to go away on its own. If left untreated, it can negatively affect your health and overall quality of life. Sleep apnea often causes you to develop poor sleeping habits that can put excess stress on your body and mind.
When left untreated, the consequences of sleep apnea can be devastating. Sleep apnea can be linked to several harmful medical conditions and mental health issues, including:
- Strokes
- Heart attacks
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Depression
- Anxiety
Sleep apnea also affects your ability to complete basic tasks. In fact, fatigued people suffering from sleep apnea are responsible for many traffic accidents annually.
In children, sleep apnea causes daytime drowsiness and behavioral and academic problems at school. Unfortunately, childhood sleep apnea is often misdiagnosed as ADHD because the symptoms are very similar.
Is it possible to treat my snoring even if I don’t have sleep apnea?
There are multiple ways to treat snoring, including using custom oral appliances. We’ll want to rule out sleep apnea as the cause of your snoring before prescribing a treatment. Once you’ve undergone a sleep study, Dr. Katz can discuss your treatment options. Along with a custom oral appliance, he may also suggest lifestyle changes such as sleeping on your side to help ease any causes of snoring.
What to do if you suspect you or a loved one might have sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a severe condition that needs to be addressed as soon as possible. If you’ve already been diagnosed by your primary care physician and are seeking treatment, get in touch with our Greensboro office to schedule your free consultation today.
If you haven’t been diagnosed but are interested in learning more about sleep apnea, Dr. Katz is Board-Certified by the American Sleep Breathing Academy. While he can’t diagnose you with sleep apnea, he can answer any questions you have and help you take the proper steps towards a diagnosis. You must see a qualified sleep physician to receive a sleep diagnosis. From there, Dr. Katz can provide you with treatment and advice.
What is a sleep study?
A sleep study is an overnight test that records the activity of the body during sleep. The study will track and record your brain wave patterns, oxygen level, heart rate, snoring, etc. Your primary care physician will use this to determine your sleep apnea diagnosis. Once you receive your diagnosis, Dr. Katz will find the treatment that best fits your needs.
Is CPAP the only effective treatment for sleep apnea?
There are multiple treatment options for those who find CPAP to be invasive or ineffective. After evaluating your condition, Dr. Katz may prescribe a custom oral appliance or recommend exercises, sleeping positions, and other lifestyle changes to help treat your sleep apnea. To learn more about our treatment options, schedule an appointment by calling our office at (336) 346-8988.
What is an oral appliance?
An oral appliance is a custom-fit mouthpiece that you’ll wear while you sleep. It’s specifically designed to support the jaw in a forward position to maintain an open airway, effectively treating your sleep apnea. Oral appliances are often used as an alternative to CPAP based on their convenience and mobility.
Dentists, like Dr. Katz, are uniquely trained to create these one-of-a-kind devices. If you’re looking for a quiet, non-intrusive alternative to CPAP, an oral appliance might be for you.
Address Your Sleep Apnea With Dr. Katz
If you haven’t been sleeping well, it may be time to visit our Greensboro office to receive sleep apnea treatment. We’ll gladly answer any questions you may have about sleep apnea and treatment options.
To learn more about our sleep apnea services, contact us at (336) 346-8988. You can also fill out our online contact form below and one of our staff will get back to you promptly. Dr. Katz proudly offers his years of expertise to patients in Greensboro and surrounding areas including Winston-Salem, Whitsett, Summerfield, and Kernersville, NC.