Obstructive Sleep Apnea

What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

With greater attention being given to our health and immune system, there has been a renewed focus on our sleep quality.  Medical providers are now more adept in identifying patients with obstructive sleep apnea.  Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a disorder that causes a person to stop breathing while they are sleeping. Untreated OSA prevents the restful and restorative stage of deep sleep which can affect your health and quality of life. 

NEGATIVE HEALTH EFFECTS

  • Hypertension, heart disease, and stroke

  • Diabetes

  • Alzheimer's disease and dementia

  • Low testosterone and impotence

  • Difficulty losing weight

QUALITY OF LIFE EFFECTS

  • Disruptive snoring

  • Chronic fatigue and tiredness

  • Morning headaches

  • Poor concentration and performance at work

  • Depression and irritability with family members

Treatment for Sleep Apnea

A CPAP (continuous positive air pressure) machine is considered the gold standard and is often the first type of treatment offered to patients by their physicians. The CPAP has a mask connected to the machine with hoses. By wearing the mask throughout the night, a CPAP machine continuously blows air through the nose, which creates air pressure to keep your throat open while asleep. We love it when patients consistently use their CPAP’s and encourage them to do so.  

HOW IS OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA DIAGNOSED?

Obstructive sleep apnea is diagnosed by your physician through the use of a sleep test. A sleep test can be performed at your home or in a sleep lab. Based on the results, your physician will inform you whether you have mild, moderate, or severe apnea. The severity of your apnea is determined by how many times during your test you stop breathing.

IS THERE ANOTHER OPTION TO CPAP?

Unfortunately, half the patients prescribed CPAP are unable to use it on a nightly basis. For patients looking for an effective alternative to the CPAP machine, Dr. Kim can offer a custom-fitted oral appliance. A custom-fitted oral appliance is a small mouthpiece worn in your mouth. It gently holds the jaw to prevent it from falling back, thus keeping your airway open to allow you to breathe again while sleeping. There are numerous oral appliances on the market. Dr. Kim will use his expertise and experience to select the right premium appliance specific to your needs.