Getting the Treatment You Deserve
1st Step: Your Consultation with Dr. Katz
Sleep apnea is a medical condition that, if left untreated, can harbor severe medical complications including strokes, heart attacks, and automobile accidents. If you believe you may be suffering from sleep apnea, contact Dr. Katz—he’ll make sure you get the necessary diagnosis and the appropriate treatment.
While we commonly associate sleep apnea with heavy snoring, they’re separate conditions. However, Dr. Katz can treat your snoring even if it’s unrelated to sleep apnea. He has years of experience handling both, snoring and sleep apnea.
Dr. Katz is a pioneer in the field of snoring treatment where he features convenient and effective solutions for your problem. Dr. Katz began treating snoring in 1982 when a patient asked for a snoring remedy. With decades of experience providing care for people with heavy snoring, he’s a perfect choice.
2nd Step: Getting the Right Diagnosis
Dr. Katz offers sleep apnea and snoring care that’s designed to promote the overall health and wellness of our patients. Before you can begin the process, Dr. Katz will examine your oral structures, as well as ask some basic questions regarding your lifestyle and your sleep habits.
After he decides you qualify, a sleep study is the essential next step toward your sleep apnea diagnosis. Our Greensboro patients can choose to undergo a sleep study in a sleep laboratory, but many find it convenient to use the at-home version. If you elect to use the at-home sleep study, you’ll return the device, and a trained sleep technician will interpret the results.
A physician must provide a sleep apnea diagnosis. Fortunately, Dr. Katz works with a handful of sleep apnea doctors who can deliver the necessary prescription for sleep apnea treatment.
3rd Step: Seeking Sleep Apnea Treatment
After a physician provides you with the proper prescription, Dr. Katz can start crafting your unique sleep apnea treatment plan. Treatment options for sleep apnea include:
- CPAP Machines: Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines are the gold standard for severe sleep apnea treatment. A CPAP device administers a continuous flow of warm air down your throat while you sleep. Unfortunately, many patients find the device unwearable because the mask restricts your movement. For this reason, more than half of patients who are prescribed a CPAP machine stops using it after less than a year of treatment.
- Oral Appliances: These mouthguard-like devices are small, convenient, and electric-free ways to treat sleep apnea. Oral appliances are sophisticated pieces of equipment that—when worn during sleep—make breathing easier, mitigating the effects of sleep apnea and snoring. Dr. Katz will use your physician’s prescription to customize an appliance that fits comfortably in your mouth.
- Surgery: Sometimes surgeries are recommended to treat sleep apnea. This treatment can include the removal of the patient’s tonsils, adenoids, or excess tissue that obstructs the airway.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a cure for sleep apnea?
Surgery is typically the only way to cure sleep apnea. However, the procedure is invasive and is only used as a last resort. Fortunately, Dr. Katz can treat your sleep apnea before surgery is even considered.
If you’re experiencing sleep apnea symptoms, schedule a consultation by (336) 346-8988. During your consultation, Dr. Katz will examine your symptoms and determine if you would benefit from a sleep study. If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, we can begin treatment right away.
What happens if sleep apnea goes untreated?
If sleep apnea is left untreated, it can cause serious health consequences. Long-term health complications include:
- Strokes
- Heart attacks
- Type 2 diabetes
- Cardiovascular disease
- High blood pressures
- Alzheimer’s disease
If you believe you have sleep apnea and want to get treatment as soon as possible, contact our Greensboro office at (336) 346-8988 to get started today. During your consultation, Dr. Katz will evaluate you and discuss your symptoms to determine if you need to undergo a sleep study for a diagnosis.
How is sleep apnea diagnosed?
For a clear diagnosis, a sleep study is required. You can choose to undergo a sleep study supervised by a physician or you can participate in an at-home sleep study. An at-home sleep study is performed in the privacy of your own home without supervision. You’ll just bring the equipment home and follow the instructions.
The information will be reviewed after your test and you’ll be notified if you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea. If you have sleep apnea, we can help you get the quality sleep you need with an oral appliance. If your sleep study indicates that you snore and don’t have sleep apnea, we can help you achieve noise-free nights so you and your partner can rest peacefully.
Will my dental insurance cover oral appliances?
Most insurance companies cover at least a portion of the expenses. We suggest contacting your provider before your appointment to have a better understanding of your coverage. We also offer flexible financing options so you don’t have to put your dental needs on hold.
Start Your Treatment Today
If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea and want to improve your condition without CPAP therapy, Dr. Katz can provide you with CPAP alternatives. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Katz, call our Greensboro office 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.