Tag Archives: sleep apnea treatment

The Importance of Treating Sleep Apnea and the Advancements in Sleep Apnea Appliances

Posted by Genny Skrobanek on November 26, 2024

Sleep apnea is a serious medical condition affecting millions of individuals worldwide. Characterized by interruptions in breathing during sleep, this condition can lead to significant health problems if left untreated. Beyond the snoring and restless nights, sleep apnea has been linked to conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and chronic fatigue. Fortunately, advancements in sleep apnea appliances offer a non-invasive, effective way to manage the condition and improve quality of life.

This comprehensive guide explores why treating sleep apnea is essential, the dangers of ignoring it, and how modern sleep apnea appliances can provide relief.

Understanding Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea occurs when the airway becomes partially or completely blocked during sleep, causing temporary pauses in breathing. These interruptions can happen dozens or even hundreds of times a night, disrupting the sleep cycle and reducing oxygen levels in the blood.

Types of Sleep Apnea:

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): The most common form, caused by a physical blockage of the airway, often due to relaxed throat muscles.
Central Sleep Apnea: Caused by a failure of the brain to send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.
Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome: A combination of both obstructive and central sleep apnea.

Why Treating Sleep Apnea is Crucial

Ignoring sleep apnea can lead to serious health consequences. Understanding the risks underscores the importance of seeking treatment.

1. Health Risks

Cardiovascular Disease: Untreated sleep apnea increases the risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, and irregular heart rhythms.
Type 2 Diabetes: Sleep apnea can exacerbate insulin resistance, a key factor in type 2 diabetes.
Weight Gain and Obesity: Poor sleep quality affects hormone levels, increasing hunger and cravings for unhealthy foods.

2. Cognitive Impairment

Interrupted sleep impacts memory, concentration, and overall cognitive function, increasing the likelihood of accidents and workplace errors.

3. Emotional Well-Being

Sleep apnea contributes to mood disorders such as depression and anxiety due to chronic fatigue and poor sleep quality.

4. Reduced Quality of Life

Fatigue, irritability, and diminished energy levels can take a toll on personal relationships, work performance, and overall enjoyment of life.

Traditional Treatments for Sleep Apnea

1. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)

CPAP machines are the most common treatment for sleep apnea. They deliver a constant stream of air through a mask, keeping the airway open. While effective, CPAP devices can be uncomfortable and inconvenient for many patients, leading to poor compliance.

2. Surgery

In severe cases, surgery to remove excess tissue or reposition the jaw may be recommended. However, surgery carries risks and is typically a last resort.

The Role of Sleep Apnea Appliances

Sleep apnea appliances, also known as oral appliances, provide a non-invasive, patient-friendly alternative to CPAP machines. These devices are custom-designed to fit comfortably in the mouth and address the underlying causes of obstructive sleep apnea.

How Sleep Apnea Appliances Work

The primary function of these appliances is to keep the airway open during sleep. They achieve this by:

Repositioning the Jaw: Moving the lower jaw slightly forward to prevent the tongue and soft tissues from collapsing into the airway.
Stabilizing the Tongue: Holding the tongue in place to prevent it from obstructing airflow.

Advancements in Sleep Apnea Appliance Technology

Modern sleep apnea appliances incorporate advanced technology to maximize comfort, effectiveness, and ease of use.

1. Custom-Fit Design

Dental professionals, like Dr. Skrobanek at GPS Dental, use 3D scanning and imaging technology to create appliances tailored to the unique anatomy of each patient’s mouth. This ensures a snug, comfortable fit that promotes better compliance.

2. Lightweight and Durable Materials

Newer appliances are made from lightweight, hypoallergenic materials that are durable and easy to clean.

3. Adjustable Features

Many appliances allow for micro-adjustments, enabling patients to find the most comfortable and effective position for their jaw and tongue.

4. Integration with Monitoring Devices

Some appliances are equipped with sensors that track sleep patterns and breathing, providing valuable data to patients and healthcare providers.

5. Improved Aesthetics

Today’s sleep apnea appliances are more discreet and less bulky, making them appealing for patients who may have been hesitant to use earlier designs.

Benefits of Sleep Apnea Appliances

For many patients, sleep apnea appliances offer several advantages over traditional treatments like CPAP machines:

Comfort and Convenience
Oral appliances are less intrusive and more portable, making them ideal for travel and daily use.
Quiet Operation
Unlike CPAP machines, appliances are silent, allowing for a more peaceful sleep environment.
Increased Compliance
Studies show that patients are more likely to consistently use oral appliances due to their ease of use and comfort.
Non-Invasive Solution
Sleep apnea appliances provide effective treatment without the need for surgery or cumbersome machinery.
Improved Sleep Quality
By addressing the root cause of airway obstruction, these appliances help restore uninterrupted sleep, leaving patients feeling more refreshed and energetic.

Choosing the Right Sleep Apnea Appliance

Selecting the right appliance requires consultation with a qualified dentist or sleep specialist. The process typically involves:

Evaluation and Diagnosis
A comprehensive sleep study or at-home sleep test is performed to assess the severity of sleep apnea.
Custom Fitting
Using digital impressions or 3D imaging, the dentist designs an appliance tailored to the patient’s needs.
Adjustment Period
Patients may need a short adjustment period to get used to the appliance and optimize its effectiveness.
Ongoing Monitoring
Regular follow-ups ensure the appliance remains effective and comfortable over time.

Success Stories: How Sleep Apnea Appliances Change Lives

For many patients, sleep apnea appliances have been life-changing. Improved sleep quality leads to better physical health, emotional well-being, and overall quality of life. Here are a few ways these devices have made a difference:

Increased Energy Levels: Patients report feeling more rested and alert throughout the day.
Better Relationships: Eliminating snoring and irritability improves relationships with partners and family members.
Health Improvements: Many patients see reductions in blood pressure and other health risks associated with sleep apnea.

Final Thoughts

Sleep apnea is a serious condition that requires prompt treatment to prevent long-term health consequences. While CPAP machines remain a common solution, sleep apnea appliances offer a comfortable, effective alternative that aligns with the needs of modern patients.

If you or a loved one is struggling with sleep apnea, don’t wait to seek help. Consult with Dr. Skrobanek, your sleep specialist, to explore your options and start your journey toward better sleep and improved health today.

With advancements in technology and increased awareness, treating sleep apnea has never been easier or more accessible. Reclaim your nights and enjoy the benefits of uninterrupted, restorative sleep with the help of a custom sleep apnea appliance.

Dr. Gary P. Skrobanek’s experienced and friendly team at GPS Dental offers affordable dental care for all ages in San Antonio, TX area. Our Brooks City Base dentist office is conveniently located and offers early morning appointment times Monday through Friday to meet your needs. At GPS Dental, we promote dental health awareness to our patients and provide most dental services, from family and general dentistry to dental implants, sleep apnea, TMJ / TMD Treatment, cosmetic dentistry and much more. We accept most dental insurance plans and offer affordable financial solutions for any budget. Call us at 210-633-3477 to make an appointment.

Sleep Apnea Impacts Your Health in More Ways than Snoring!

Posted by Genny Skrobanek on June 4, 2024

Sleep Apnea impacts your health in more ways that just snoring! According to estimates, 50 million to 70 million people in the U.S. have ongoing sleep disorders and sleep apnea is extremely common with over 18 million adults experiencing a form of sleep apnea every night according to the National Sleep Foundation. Sleep apnea can be caused from multiple factors, such as obesity, large tonsils, a small airway, smoking, alcohol use, and more. Whatever the reason of sleep apnea, it causes pauses of breathing during a sleep cycle. This means that when you have sleep apnea, you could be waking up multiple times throughout the night and losing sleep.

What happens to your body when you sleep (or try to sleep)?

As you rest, your body becomes less tense because your muscles relax. Sleep is the time when your body heals and repairs itself to prepare you for the following day. However, Sleep Apnea impacts your health and can cause sleep to be problematic, because it limits their ability to rest and restore their bodies properly.

Primary symptoms of the disorder are irregular breathing, excessive snoring, and occasional breaks or pauses in breathing, which occur due to the complete relaxation of the throat muscles or airway blockage.

Other symptoms may include:

constant fatigue
depression
chronic headaches
high blood pressure
obesity
complications during pregnancy

If these symptoms are left dismissed, and sleep apnea persists, heart failure, heart attack, high blood pressure, stroke, death, and other serious health issues can result.

It may even be indicative of other serious underlying health issues such as:

diabetes
neurological illness
mental illness
heart disease

Want to know more about SLEEP?? Here are 100 Sleep Statistics, including facts and data about sleep in 2023, according to SleepFoundation.org.

Big Three: Types of Sleep Apnea

While usually following a similar pattern, identifying and classifying your specific type of sleep apnea is indeed a crucial part of resolving the disorder, as sleep apnea impacts your health, can have multiple causes, and can manifest itself in several different variations.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea:

Obstructive sleep (or OSA) apnea is without doubt, the most common form of sleep apnea, as it affects approximately 3.6 million Americans today. However, despite such staggering statistics, it is believed that only 10% of those suffering from OSA recognize the symptoms and actively seek treatment for the condition, thereby leaving most suffers untreated.

Some of the signs and symptoms of OSA are:

Noticeably loud snoring
Headaches
Dry mouth
Excessive drowsiness or sleepiness throughout the day
Repeated shortness of breath (abrupt awakenings) while asleep

Generally, the root cause of OSA, is attributed to relaxation of muscles while asleep, during which the tongue may cause a partial blockage of a person’s airway.

Central Sleep Apnea:

As opposed to being something of a mechanical problem like OSA, central sleep apnea (or CSA) is more of a muscle signal or miscommunication problem that originates within the brainstem. Although considerably less prevalent than OSA, CSA should not be taken lightly as it may likely be indicative of serious underlying health issues such as heart failure or Parkinson’s Disease.

Common symptoms of CSA may include:

Chronic fatigue
Poor concentration
Depression
Snoring
Shortness of breath
Repeated abrupt awaking

With the central nervous system compromised, both voluntary and involuntary muscle movement becomes increasingly restricted, therefore causing interruptions in involuntary actions such as breathing. This can be particularly problematic during sleep, as the suffer may repeatedly experience abrupt awakenings while attempting to rest, as a natural reaction to the sudden lack of oxygen.

Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome:

The final and as its name implies, most severe and advanced form of sleep apnea is complex or mixed sleep apnea syndrome. Complex sleep apnea (or perhaps more appropriately referred to as Mixed Sleep Apnea) is a combination for both OSA and CSA, and typically presents symptoms of both. Often in the cases of complex sleep apnea, a sufferer should seek immediate treatment as the standard of living with this condition may deteriorate rapidly. (e.g. going for too long without the adequate amount of sleep).

A Review of Sleep Apnea Symptoms

When you lose sleep due to sleep apnea, you can experience a multitude of symptoms. We often associate loud snoring with sleep apnea, as it is sometimes a sign of breathing issues. If you or a loved one experiences any of these symptoms, it may be time to talk with your doctor and your dentist about sleep apnea. Are you beginning to understand why Sleep Apnea impacts your health?

Information from the Mayo Clinic and Types of Sleep Apnea.

Common Sleep Apnea Symptoms:

Loud snoring
Excessive sleepiness and fatigue throughout the day
Trouble concentrating
Gasping for air during sleep
Dry mouth
Headaches in the morning after waking up
Depression
Irritability

If these sleep apnea symptoms are left untreated for a long period of time, they could lead to more serious health complications, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and more.

More on Sleep Apnea Symptoms from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

Are Children Affected by Sleep Apnea?

The short answer is: YES!! According to sleepforkids.org, 13 percent of children from ages 6 to 11 are overweight. While these age groups should be getting between 10-11 hours of sleep per night, obesity can cause these numbers to go down due to sleep apnea. So, what exactly is sleep apnea and how is it affecting our children? And for children, can sleep apnea impacts your health too?

Can children develop sleep apnea? Read more HERE.

What Causes Sleep Apnea?

The overall success in treating sleep apnea remains relatively high; however, the rate of success depends heavily on finding the exact cause of the disorder and selecting the best method of treatment.

Various causes can contribute to sleep apnea. However, one of the most common causes of this disorder is obesity; as fat deposits that accumulate around the neck place pressure on the throat, limiting the body’s ability to breathe sufficiently. Large tonsils are also a cause of sleep apnea as they tend to obstruct the passage of air into and out of the body.

Other sleep apnea causes include premature births and genetic syndromes that impact facial structures such as congenital central hypoventilation syndrome. Heart and kidney failure, PCOS, hypothyroidism, and conditions that interfere with the brain’s signals can also contribute to a person’s development of sleep apnea.

Related Article: How Would You Know if You Suffer from Sleep Apnea?

Treatments for Sleep Apnea

If you are experiencing the common symptoms of sleep apnea, your dentist or doctor may ask you to participate in a sleep study to monitor your breathing throughout the night. They may ask you about your medical history or perform a physical exam to reach a diagnosis. Remember, more than your sleep can be affected by sleep apnea.

Once a diagnosis is confirmed, there are multiple treatment options for sleep apnea, including:

Weight loss
Surgery
Mouthpieces
Breathing devices
Mouth therapy

Research shows that oral appliance therapy, or a mouth guard, is an effective treatment option for sleep apnea and snoring. At GPS Dental, we know Sleep Apnea impacts your health and we take sleep apnea very seriously. Our FDA-approved mouthguards can help open your airway and support your jaw when sleeping. Talk to Dr. Skrobanek to see what treatment is right for you and begin your path to a better night’s sleep!

Home Remedies for Sleep Apnea from Healthline.

Sleep Apnea Oral Appliance Therapy Offered at GPS Dental

Posted by Genny Skrobanek on January 9, 2024

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by repeated pauses in breathing during sleep. These interruptions, called apneas, can last for seconds to minutes and result in disrupted sleep patterns.

Two Types:

The most common type is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), where the airway becomes blocked or collapses, limiting airflow.
Central sleep apnea (CSA) is less common and occurs when the brain fails to send proper signals to the muscles controlling breathing.

Symptoms:

Symptoms may include loud snoring, choking or gasping during sleep, excessive daytime sleepiness, and difficulty concentrating. Learn more here.

Health Issues:

Sleep apnea can contribute to various health issues, including cardiovascular problems, and prompt diagnosis and treatment are essential for overall well-being. Learn how Sleep Apnea Impacts Your Health in More Ways Than Snoring.

More information about sleep apnea from the National Sleep Foundation.

Sleep Apnea Treatment Options:

Sleep apnea oral appliance therapy is considered an alternative to using a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine for the treatment of sleep apnea. Both CPAP and oral appliances are effective interventions, but they work in different ways to address the underlying issues of sleep apnea.

CPAP Machine:

CPAP is a standard and highly effective treatment for sleep apnea.
It involves wearing a mask over the nose and/or mouth during sleep, which is connected to a machine that delivers a continuous stream of pressurized air to keep the airway open.
The increased air pressure prevents the collapse of the airway, reducing or eliminating apneas and snoring.

Oral Appliance Therapy:

Oral appliances are custom-made devices, resembling mouthguards or dental retainers, that are worn in the mouth during sleep.
They work by repositioning the lower jaw (mandible) and tongue to help keep the airway open, preventing the collapse that leads to apneas.
There are different types of oral appliances, such as mandibular advancement devices (MADs) and tongue-retaining devices.

Considerations for Choosing Between CPAP and Oral Appliance Therapy:

Patient Preference: Some individuals may find wearing a CPAP mask uncomfortable and prefer the smaller, less obtrusive nature of oral appliances.
Treatment Tolerance: While CPAP is highly effective, some people may have difficulty adjusting to the sensation of forced air. Oral appliances can be more tolerable for certain individuals.
Treatment Compliance: Patient compliance is crucial for the success of sleep apnea treatment. Individuals are more likely to consistently use a therapy they find comfortable and suitable for their lifestyle.
Severity of Sleep Apnea: The choice between CPAP and oral appliances may depend on the severity of sleep apnea. CPAP is often recommended for more severe cases, while oral appliances are considered effective for mild to moderate sleep apnea.

It’s important for individuals with sleep apnea to undergo a thorough evaluation by Dr. Skrobanek to determine the most appropriate treatment option based on their specific needs, preferences, and the severity of their condition. In some cases, a combination of therapies or lifestyle modifications may be recommended to optimize treatment outcomes.

Dr. Skrobanek Can Help

Because of Dr. Skrobanek’s membership through the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, he has completed education, coursework, workshops, and on-going training to enhance his knowledge and skills in the field of dental sleep medicine. This training is essential for understanding the complexities of sleep disorders and effective treatment options.

Treatments: Sleep Apnea Oral Appliance Therapy

Dr. Skrobanek offers sleep apnea oral appliance therapy at GPS Dental because it is a non-invasive treatment option for mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and is sometimes used for individuals with severe sleep apnea who cannot tolerate or do not respond well to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. It involves the use of a custom-made oral appliance, often resembling a sports mouthguard or orthodontic retainer, that can be made by Dr. Skrobanek to help keep your airway open during sleep.

Here’s how sleep apnea oral appliance therapy works …

How it Works: The oral appliance is designed to reposition the lower jaw (mandible) and tongue to prevent the collapse of the airway during sleep. By repositioning these structures, the appliance helps maintain an open and unobstructed airway, reducing the likelihood of apneas (temporary pauses in breathing) and snoring.
Customization: Oral appliances used in sleep apnea treatment are custom-made for each individual. Dr. Skrobanek will take impressions of your teeth and create a device that fits comfortably in your mouth.
Types of Appliances: There are various types of oral appliances, but they generally fall into two categories, mandibular advancement devices (MADs) and tongue-retaining devices. MADs are the most common and work by repositioning the lower jaw forward. Tongue-retaining devices hold the tongue in a forward position to keep it from falling back and obstructing the airway.
Effectiveness: Oral appliance therapy can be effective in reducing the frequency and severity of apneas and improving sleep quality. It is often considered for individuals who find CPAP therapy uncomfortable or who prefer a more portable and less obtrusive treatment option.
Patient Selection: Oral appliances are typically recommended for individuals with mild to moderate sleep apnea. However, they may also be considered for some individuals with severe sleep apnea, especially if CPAP therapy is not suitable or well-tolerated.
Treatment Monitoring: After the initial fitting, regular follow-up visits with Dr. Skrobanek are essential to monitor the effectiveness of the oral appliance and make any necessary adjustments to ensure your device is providing optimal results.
Advantages: Oral appliances are generally well-tolerated and easy to use. They are also portable, making them convenient for travel. Unlike CPAP machines, oral appliances do not require electricity and are silent, which is appealing to most of our patients.
Combination Therapy: In some cases, oral appliance therapy may be used in combination with other treatment modalities, such as weight management, positional therapy, or surgery, depending on the individual’s specific needs.

It’s important to note that oral appliance therapy is not suitable for everyone, and its effectiveness can vary from person to person. A thorough evaluation by Dr. Skrobanek because of his expertise in dental sleep medicine is crucial to determine the most appropriate treatment plan for his patients with sleep apnea.

Are You a Candidate for Sleep Apnea Oral Appliance Therapy?

Talk to Dr. Skrobanek and the GPS Dental team about treatment options for sleep apnea and snoring. Ask if oral appliance therapy might be the right solution for you. Get help today to improve your sleep and your health!