Oral Appliance Therapy for Sleep Apnea
- Posted on: Aug 15 2022
Do you have signs of obstructive sleep apnea? It can be a very serious condition — besides making you feel tired all of the time, it can result in serious health problems. You may be hesitant to get help for your sleep apnea because a very commonly used treatment – the CPAP machine – may seem worse than the condition. But you do have other options available to you, such as oral appliance therapy.
What is obstructive sleep apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the airway narrows and not enough oxygen can get into your system. Your brain reacts by waking you up. It may happen several times a night – or even several times an hour – and you may not even realize that you keep waking up because it all happens in short little bursts. Then you wake up tired and wonder why, because you think you have gotten a full night’s sleep. Other signs that you have sleep apnea include snoring, morning headache, irritability, and morning dry mouth.
How is obstructive sleep apnea treated?
CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machines are a common treatment for sleep apnea, but many people don’t like using them. They can be hard to clean, uncomfortable and difficult to sleep in, and are a hassle to travel with. Oral appliances, though, have none of these drawbacks. Oral appliances look a lot like mouthguards that athletes wear. They are custom made for each patient to fit over the teeth, and they work by holding the jaw and tongue forward to allow air to flow freely and to allow you to breathe and sleep easier. They are easy to use, easy to keep clean, easy to carry while traveling, and after a few nights of wearing it you won’t even notice you have it on. It can also help patients who snore. It is an amazingly simple solution for sleep apnea!
You don’t have to live with sleep apnea, and you don’t have to use a bulky and annoying CPAP machine. Sinus & Snoring Specialists in Austin, Texas, can help you to find a solution for your sleep apnea that is right for you. Call (512) 601-0303 for an appointment today.
Posted in: Sleep Apnea
