Serving patients of Erwin, Jonesborough, and Greeneville TN
When most people think of sleep apnea treatment, they envision wearing a face mask hooked to a noisy and cumbersome machine at night. A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine is the standard way to treat sleep apnea, but a patient’s reluctance to use a CPAP can, unfortunately, prevent him or her from seeking treatment for this common and potentially dangerous sleep disorder.
But what if we told you it’s possible to treat mild to moderate cases of sleep apnea without a CPAP? Let’s look with our airway dentist in Erwin today at what sleep apnea is and the different ways it can be treated without a CPAP.
What is obstructive sleep apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep disorder that is known to frequently interrupt a person’s breathing — and sleep pattern — at night. It’s caused when the throat muscles relax during sleep, either partially or completely blocking the airway. Sleep apnea can lead to snoring, severe daytime fatigue and, if left untreated, more severe overall health problems like high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke.
The most severe cases of OSA and people with issues like a deviated septum or enlarged tonsils may require surgical intervention, but mild to moderate cases of OSA can be treated in other, less-invasive ways.
How can OSA be treated without a CPAP machine?
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Lifestyle changes
Sometimes, simple lifestyle changes can be enough to improve mild to moderate OSA symptoms.
- Weight loss — Excessive weight is known to contribute to airway obstruction. Increased fat around the neck and throat can narrow the airway and make it more prone to collapse during sleep.
- Avoid alcohol and sedatives — Exposure to these substances before bed relaxes the throat muscles, worsening OSA and its symptoms.
- Sleeping position — Sleeping on your side instead of your back can mitigate OSA symptoms.
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Oral appliance therapy
Our Jonesborough sleep apnea dentist custom-makes oral appliances that fit in a patient’s mouth like a nightguard. These appliances comfortably reposition the jaw and tongue to keep the airway open during sleep.
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Myofunctional therapy
Myofunctional therapy teaches exercises to strengthen the tongue and throat muscles, which helps reduce airway collapse during sleep. For the best results, myofunctional therapy is often used in conjunction with other treatments.
Sleep apnea treatment in Erwin, Jonesborough and Greeneville, Tennessee
If you feel you’re receiving adequate sleep but still feel extremely tired the following day — or if you’ve heard from a sleeping partner that you have a persistent, loud snore or that you stop breathing at night — call Tusculum Dental Care, (423) 639-7575, or reach out to us online today. Our Greeneville dentist works alongside sleep specialists to design a comprehensive sleep plan that will improve your sleep quality and overall health.