What is Sleep Apnea?

Before we get into the main types of sleep apnea treatment and how sleep apnea treatment can change your life, let’s give you some background information first. You may be surprised that millions of Americans suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the most common type.

When you have sleep apnea, your airway becomes so relaxed while you sleep that the tissue collapses, causing a blockage. That blocked airway prevents air from flowing in and out naturally while you breathe during sleep cycles.

People with sleep apnea typically snore because snoring is the sound you make when trying to force air through a blocked airway. If you have sleep apnea, you will likely choke and gasp for air throughout the night, often without knowing it.

You actually stop breathing during the night when you have sleep apnea, and those breathing stoppages may last as long as ten seconds and occur hundreds of times throughout the night. Poor quality sleep is the result of sleep apnea, making treatment imperative.

adult man awake in bed, unable to sleepSleep Apnea Treatment Protects Your Health

Not only does sleep apnea wreak havoc on your sleep, but it will also take its toll on your physical and cognitive/emotional/mental health. People with sleep apnea often report:

  • Exhaustion upon waking
  • Daytime fatigue
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Memory problems
  • Mood swings
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Irritability
  • Dry throat and mouth in the morning

Undiagnosed and untreated sleep apnea could lead to some major medical issues including, but not limited to:

  • Diabetes
  • Heart attack
  • Stroke
  • Mental health issues
  • Hypertension (high blood pressure)

Treatment Options

Now that you have read all the bad news, let’s talk about the good news: Dr. Richard Crosby is an Anchorage, Alaska, sleep apnea dentist who will offer various sleep apnea treatments to help you sleep better, improve your physical health, and restore your emotional well-being.

What Are My Treatment Options?

While CPAP has always been the gold standard in sleep apnea treatment, there are much more innovative ways to treat sleep apnea. CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) involves wearing a mask with tubing hooked up to an often-loud bulky machine. Many people find it impossible to sleep while hooked up to CPAP; only some people can adhere to the strict requirements of sleeping with CPAP.

Oral Appliance Therapy

Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) is one sleep apnea treatment that is proving to be hugely successful, and people love that all you do is wear a custom-designed “mouthguard,” according to Dr. Crosby’s instructions. There are numerous benefits to oral appliance therapy:

  • Easy to use
  • Portable (can go anywhere you go)
  • Easy to clean
  • No noisy machine, no mask on the face, no tubes to interfere with your sleep

Sleep Apnea Treatment That Works

Dr. Crosby’s patients have experienced an immense improvement in their sleep apnea symptoms with oral appliance therapy. Here’s what to expect if you have sleep apnea and are looking for effective sleep apnea treatment in Anchorage:

First, our amazing dental team will scan your teeth. Then, we’ll use CAD digital processing to develop your oral appliance. This amazing technology will fabricate an oral appliance specifically for you. In no time, you’ll be wearing your oral appliance daily, meaning sweet slumber will no longer elude you.

There are different types of oral appliances, and Dr. Crosby, after performing a thorough evaluation using the most innovative sleep apnea technology available today, will discuss which option is best for you.

Natural Ways to Reduce Your Risk of Sleep Apnea

There are also lifestyle changes you can make to reduce your chances of getting sleep apnea or to minimize the severity of your OSA:

  • Lose weight (if necessary)
  • Get BMI in the acceptable range (Body Mass Index)
  • Avoid smoking
  • Avoid alcohol use before bed
  • Exercise
  • Alter sleeping positions
  • Use pillows and a mattress beneficial to those with OSA
  • Stick to a strict schedule of sleep, work, and play

Learn More About Sleep Apnea Treatment in Anchorage, Alaska

Please call Anchorage, Alaska, sleep apnea dentist Dr. Richard Crosby at (907) 277-1098, or fill out our online contact form to ask questions or schedule a new patient appointment. There are sleep apnea treatments that really work, so why suffer from this complex sleep disorder any longer? Get restful sleep and start reaping the health benefits today!