Sleep Apnea/Snoring Treatment – Belmont, MA

How Long are Sleep Apnea Events or Episodes?

A pause in your breathing qualifies as a sleep apnea episode if it lasts for at least 10 seconds. Some pauses last considerably longer – up to 2 minutes in certain cases. A patient can have 5 to 30 sleep apnea episodes during a single hour of slumber. The more episodes you experience, the more severe your sleep disorder is considered to be. Tests can be performed to see how often you’re experiencing sleep apnea episodes in order to determine how advanced your case is and narrow down potential treatment methods.

Will My Sleep Apnea Go Away if I Lose Weight?

Obesity and sleep apnea are often closely related. An excess amount of weight often means a greater chance of the airway becoming blocked by relaxed tissues in the throat. In many cases, losing weight can indeed go a long way toward reducing sleep apnea symptoms. However, this is not guaranteed to put a stop to the disorder entirely; it may still be necessary to use an oral appliance to keep your airway open during the night. In short, losing weight is one of several steps you can potentially take to address your sleep apnea.

Who is Most at Risk for Sleep Apnea?

Virtually anyone can potentially suffer from obstructive sleep apnea, but there are certain factors that can increase your risk of developing the disorder, such as:

• Being Male: Statistics show that men are 2 to 3 times more likely to suffer from sleep apnea compared to women.
• Age: The older you get, the more likely you are to experience sleep-disordered breathing.
• Weight: Being overweight is considered one of the primary risk factors for sleep apnea.
• Anatomy: If you have a thicker neck, you likely also have a narrower airway, which can increase the chances of your breathing being interrupted.

Can I Have Oral Appliance Therapy If I Grind My Teeth?

Some people with sleep apnea also grind their teeth while they’re asleep. On the surface, you may worry that this could potentially be an obstacle to your ability to get an oral appliance. However, this is far from the case. Teeth grinding won’t affect your candidacy for oral appliance therapy. In fact, a well-made oral appliance can stop your upper and lower arches of teeth from making direct contact with each other, thus reducing the damage related to teeth grinding.

Will Oral Appliance Therapy Make CPAP Therapy Unnecessary?

It’s estimated that only around half of patients who are prescribed CPAP therapy stick to the treatment; many individuals find the machine too noisy or the mask too uncomfortable. If you’re one of these patients, you may be considering oral appliance therapy as an alternative. After all, oral appliances make no noise and can be customized for the sake of your comfort.

In many cases, oral appliances can indeed replace a CPAP machine. However, this is generally only a viable option for patients with mild to moderate cases of sleep apnea; CPAP therapy may remain the best option for those with more severe sleep disorders. You’ll need to undergo a sleep test in order to determine what sort of treatment is appropriate in your case.

What Does Sleep Apnea Look Like for Women?

Sleep apnea is more common in men, but it can also occur in women, particularly those who are pregnant, past menopausal, or overweight. It’s important to remember that sleep apnea presents differently in women so that you have an accurate idea of what kinds of symptoms you need to look out for.

In men, sleep apnea often causes snoring and daytime sleepiness. Women, on the other hand, may experience different symptoms such as insomnia, depression, anxiety, and more. If any of these warning signs sound familiar, you should consider having a sleep test performed as soon as possible.

How Soon After Starting Sleep Apnea Treatment Will I Notice Improvement?

When you start wearing an oral appliance to treat sleep apnea, there will generally be an improvement in the quality of your slumber almost right away. That being said, you may need a couple of nights to get used to wearing your appliance. As time passes, take note of your sleep apnea symptoms; if they seem to be less severe than they used to be, or if they go away entirely, you can take that as a sign that your appliance is working as intended.

How Should I Clean My Sleep Apnea Oral Appliance?

Since you’ll be putting your oral appliance in your mouth every night, you need to be able to keep it as clean as possible. The last thing you want is for harmful bacteria to build up on the appliance, which can raise your risk for cavities, gum disease, and even infections.

When you wake up in the morning, take the appliance out of your mouth and give it a thorough brushing. (It’s best to use a soft-bristled toothbrush that won’t damage the material on accident.) Once you’re done, rinse off the appliance and put it back in its protective case.

If you want to make sure that your appliance is as clean as possible, you should also make a point of periodically soaking it in denture cleanser.