Alternatives to CPAP
Sleep apnea is a serious medical disorder that prevents you from getting enough oxygen while you’re sleeping at night. This is extremely disruptive to your health, making you more likely to suffer from serious health issues such as a stroke or heart attack. The most common type of sleep apnea is called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). OSA occurs when the soft tissues in your neck relax and fall back into your throat while you sleep, blocking the airway and preventing you from breathing.
A continuous positive airway passage (CPAP) machine is often the first OSA treatment that doctors recommend. CPAP is effective when used correctly, but many patients feel restricted by their CPAP machine. CPAP machines force patients to sleep on their back all night while wearing a mask, which often makes the patient so uncomfortable that they can’t sleep or end up removing the mask at night.
A CPAP machine is also loud — and sleep partners often complain that it’s just as annoying as their partner’s snoring. For patients who are looking for an alternative to CPAP, Dr. Hobbs offers custom-made oral appliances, created just for you. It’s small and quiet, and it won’t restrict your motion while you sleep.
Sleep Apnea Can Threaten Your Health
Sleep apnea can drastically drain your energy, making you feel constantly fatigued. It can even damage your memory. Leaving this condition untreated puts your health and wellbeing at risk. Untreated sleep apnea also substantially increases your chances of suffering from:
- Heart disease
- Strokes
- High blood pressure
- Type 2 diabetes
Recognizing the symptoms of sleep apnea in a timely manner can save your life.
People Say I Snore. Do I Have Sleep Apnea?
Snoring is an issue that affects millions of Americans, whether they snore every night or just sporadically. But if your sleep partner complains about your loud, raucous snoring, then it could be a sign of a much more serious condition.
Although sleep apnea is commonly associated with snoring, not everyone who snores is suffering from sleep apnea. To find out if you have sleep apnea, Dr. Hobbs can arrange to have you take a sleep study.
A sleep study is an overnight diagnostic evaluation that measures your heart rate, brain activity, and other vital signs to diagnose sleep-related breathing disorders. Your sleep study can be conducted overnight at a sleep lab, but many of our patients choose to have a home sleep study instead.
With a home sleep study, you get a portable device that you hook up before you go to sleep. No matter which type of sleep test you choose, your results will be diagnosed by a qualified sleep physician who will then prescribe the appropriate course of treatment
Frequently Asked Questions
Can sleep apnea go away without treatment?
Unfortunately, sleep apnea won’t go away on its own. Sleep disorders are severe conditions that can lead to a number of secondary health problems when left untreated. Getting a proactive diagnosis and treatment for sleep apnea is the best way to improve your quality of life and protect your overall health. Certain lifestyle changes can also have a positive impact.
What are the different types of sleep apnea?
There are three types of sleep apnea and those are:
- Obstructive sleep apnea: This type of sleep apnea is caused by a blockage of the airway, usually when the soft tissues in the back of the throat collapse and close off airways during sleep.
- Central sleep apnea: This occurs when the airway is not blocked but the brain fails to signal the muscles to breathe.
- Mixed sleep apnea: This sleep apnea is a combination of both obstructive and central sleep apnea.
When is sleep apnea dangerous?
Sleep apnea always poses some danger — even if you have a mild case, it can cause serious health conditions if you go without treatment. Treatment can help to immediately reduce your risk of health complications. Dr. Hobbs will work with you to develop a treatment plan that suits you and improves your symptoms. He’ll help you improve your health and well-being.
Get Your Sleep Quality Back With Sleep Apnea Treatments
Sleep apnea doesn’t just deprive you of your sleep, it can also affect every aspect of your lifestyle. A good night’s sleep helps your brain and body prepare for the day. Dr. Hobbs is proud to provide his years of expertise in treating sleep apnea to patients in Longview as well as Longview’s surrounding areas including Marshall, Gladewater, Lakeport, and Kilgore, TX.
Call our Longview, TX office at (903) 686-9076 to schedule your consultation with our sleep dentist, Dr. Hobbs. You can also fill out the online contact form below and one of our staff will get back to you promptly. We look forward to helping you get your sleep quality back!