Are you tired of feeling excessively sleepy, despite getting a good night’s sleep? Do you or your partner notice snoring or gasping or choking sensations during sleep? Have you noticed that you are unable to stay alert at work lately? Perhaps a family member has commented that you are snoring more, or maybe you’ve taken a Sleep apnea free consultation quiz that suggested you might have obstructive sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea can lead to problems such as fatigue, irritability, poor concentration, headaches and heart disease. It can also be dangerous if left untreated.
What You Can Expect
If so, you’ll need to get a home sleep study or go to a sleep lab for a polysomnogram (PSG) test. This is a comprehensive sleep study that records your breathing, heart rate and other physiological responses as you sleep.
This is a great way to discover whether you have obstructive sleep apnea or other disorders such as narcolepsy, periodic limb movement disorder, REM behavior disorder and more. It also allows us to identify the best oral surgery treatment option for your unique needs and preferences. The process can feel daunting, but we’re here to help you understand what to expect. We walk you through simple steps to make your experience as stress-free as possible.
Why We Offer a Free Consultation
If you’ve noticed that you’re snoring more or having trouble staying awake during the day, if your partner says you gasp or chok while sleeping, or if you’ve taken a sleep apnea quiz and scored high, you may have obstructive sleep apnea. If that’s the case, a primary care doctor can refer you to a sleep specialist or you can find one online using directories and reviews.
A sleep specialist can order a sleep study for you to diagnose your condition. This can take place in a lab during your regular sleeping hours or with portable, take-home testing.
Once you’re diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, you can start treatment with oral appliances. Several types of these devices, which fit in the mouth like mouthguards, work to keep the airway open and alleviate your symptoms. They can also prevent complications such as high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease. Patients who follow their treatment plans report feeling better almost immediately.
How We Can Help You
For most people, sleep apnea is a treatable health condition that can be managed with proper treatment. This includes a combination of lifestyle changes, a breathing device like CPAP or BiPAP, and oral appliances. Complementary approaches, such as acupuncture or myofunctional therapy, can also help.
The most common treatment for obstructive sleep apnea is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). A CPAP machine sends a steady stream of pressurized air into your nose or mouth through a mask while you’re sleeping. This airway pressure keeps the upper throat open, preventing blockage of your airway and allowing for normal breaths.
If you have obstructive sleep apnea, your doctor may also recommend losing weight, quitting smoking, sleeping on the side rather than on the back, and avoiding high-risk activities while drowsy. Some patients need medication, such as solriamfetol (Sunosi), to help with daytime sleepiness. Other people might need a dental appliance or surgery, such as an upper airway adjustment, to keep the airway from collapsing.
What You Can Do After Your Consultation
If you’re at high risk of sleep apnea, it’s important to see your primary care doctor or another health professional for a referral to a sleep specialist. In the meantime, there are some things you can do to prepare for your appointment, including keeping a sleep diary and identifying symptoms such as snoring, daytime fatigue and frequent urination.
Sleep apnea can raise your blood pressure, which increases the risks of heart disease and stroke. Treatment can help you keep your blood pressure within a healthy range, which reduces these risks.
Other symptoms that may indicate the presence of a sleep disorder include headaches, difficulty concentrating and mood changes. If you’re concerned about these, schedule your free consultation to find out if you have a sleep disorder. We can then recommend the most appropriate treatment for you. This could include a CPAP device, which is worn in the mouth to open the airways and prevent obstruction.