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?
What to do if you suspect you or a loved one might have sleep apnea?
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?
Is CPAP the only effective treatment for sleep apnea?
What is an oral appliance?
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.