Sleep Apnea Treatment

Whether it’s your husband, wife, roommate or a friend, we all know someone who snores. Most of us don't think of snoring as something to be overly concerned, but frequently loud snoring may be a sign of sleep apnea, a common and potentially serious disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts as you sleep, called Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).

Although sleep apnea is treatable, it often goes unrecognized. Untreated sleep apnea is associated with higher risks of serious health problems like heart attack or stroke, so it's important to see a doctor if you suspect that you or a loved one might have it.

What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

The most common type of Sleep Apnea is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). Sleep apnea is diagnosed when someone sleeping stops breathing momentarily, then gasps for air. Apneas are defined as pauses in breathing that last 10 seconds or longer; a shorter one is called a hypopnea. This is most often caused by your airway becoming blocked during sleep; this is known as obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep apnea affects 25 million Americans of all ages.

When seeking sleep apnea treatments, patients have a number of options. The most popular therapy is a CPAP machine; the breathing mask gives continuous positive air pressure all night long. However, some patients prefer a nightguard to a sleep mask. Only in the most severe cases might we consider sleep apnea surgery.

But treatment can sometimes be refreshingly simple. People with mild sleep apnea may be able to triumph over the sleep disorder by making some behavioral lifestyle changes. These include avoiding alcohol and tobacco, doing breathing exercises, losing weight, and sleeping at an angle, on one's side, or with a sleep apnea pillow.

What causes Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

  • Old age (natural or premature),
  • Brain injury (temporary or permanent),
  • Decreased muscle tone,
  • Increased soft tissue around the airway (sometimes due to obesity), and
  • Structural features that give rise to a narrowed airway.

 

What are common symptoms of Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea treatment starts with a diagnosis. Dr. Warren M Krutchick DDS can both diagnose and treat the sleep disorder. You may notice some of your sleep apnea symptoms, but there are others you can't see yourself. Snoring is frequently an indicator of sleep apnea, but you may not know you snore unless a sleeping partner tells you so.

Other symptoms include:

  • Chronic morning headaches
  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Excessive Daytime Sleepiness
  • High blood pressure
  • Increased risk for diabetes, heart attack and stroke
  • Memory loss
  • Mood changes such as irritability, anxiety and depression
  • Obesity
  • Personality, alertness, memory, and behavior changes
  • Restless sleep and sleeping in unusual positions

 

What are the available treatments for Sleep Apnea?

Non-Surgical Treatments:

CPAP Machine
Warren M Krutchick DDS offers CPAP therapy. This machine uses a breathing machine to provide continuous positive air pressure all night long; all you do is breathe through a sleep mask. CPAP allows you to breathe normally throughout the night. That means that you sleep more soundly, snore less, and feel more rested and refreshed the next day.

Oral Appliance Therapy
Oral appliances can be worn in the mouth to treat snoring and OSA. These devices are similar to orthodontic retainers or sports mouth guards. Oral Appliance Therapy involves the selection, design, fitting and use of a custom-designed oral appliance worn during sleep. This appliance then attempts to maintain an opened, unobstructed airway in the throat.

The SomnoDent® MAS is only worn when you sleep, is comfortable and easy to wear. The appliance uses the smallest amount of material possible, reducing the bulkiness in your mouth. It's made of two seperate pieces allowing you to speak, yawn and drink. The SomnoMed MAS travels well, is free from attachments and makes no noise. Ask Dr. Krutchick for more information on getting a comfortable, effective and custom treatment for OSA.

Surgical Treatments

Somnoplasty
This treatment uses radio frequency energy to decrease the amount of soft tissue located in theIn this surgical procedure the upper and lower jaws are cut, so that surgical implants can be put in place as spacers, and then the jaws are re-attached in a protruded position. upper airway.

Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP)
The soft tissue and uvula are removed from the back of the throat and the soft palate. This opens up the airway and prevents the tissues surrounding the throat from collapsing and restricting the airflow.

Mandibular maxillary advancement
In this surgical procedure the upper and lower jaws are cut, so that surgical implants can be put in place as spacers, and then the jaws are re-attached in a protruded position.

Palatal Implants
The patient's soft palate is made stiffer by placing three small polyester inserts inside of it, thus preventing or reducing blockage of the airway.

If you think you are suffering from sleep apnea, talk with West Seneca Dentist, Dr. Warren M Krutchick DDS. He will discuss which treatment is right for you. Imagine if you could stop snoring, stop feeling daytime fatigue, and start sleeping soundly... A good night's sleep may be closer than you think! Call Dr. Krutchick today at (716) 675-9225 to make your free Sleep Apnea therapy consultation.