Have you ever kept your partner awake because of snoring? If so, you understand the embarrassment and frustration it can cause, not to mention the resentment it might foster. Excessive or loud snoring can be a sign of sleep apnea, a condition that approximately 39 million adults in the U.S. suffer from. Traditionally, a CPAP machine was the way to deal with sleep apnea, but it can be loud, uncomfortable, and expensive, causing many patients to seek an alternative. They can have a different sleep apnea treatment with an oral appliance. This mouthguard-like device helps keep your airways open all night long, stopping snoring and allowing you to get a more restful sleep.
The Dangers Surrounding Sleep Apnea
When thinking of dangerous medical conditions, not too many people have sleep apnea high on their list. After all, it only affects you while you sleep; how bad could it be? The reality is that sleep apnea is a more serious condition than most people realize. The condition gets its name from the Greek word for “breathless”—apnea. When you consider that it causes you to stop breathing while you sleep, its seriousness really comes to light.
Sleep apnea interrupts sleep because your throat muscles fail to keep the windpipe open during sleep, even when trying to breathe. As a result, airflow is reduced or completely stopped for a brief period, leading to a drop in blood oxygen levels. The brain senses this oxygen deprivation and wakes the person from sleep to open up the airway. These instances are so quick that the sleeper may not remember them. However, they interrupt the sleep cycle, leading to poor sleep quality and excessive daytime sleepiness.
Sleep Apnea Symptoms
Some of the signs you might have sleep apnea include:
- Excessive tiredness, either throughout the day or after waking up
- Loud snoring
- Waking up in the middle of the night
- Changes in mood or demeanor
- Night sweats or insomnia
- Morning headaches
CPAP Alternatives
Treating sleep apnea has often involved a CPAP machine. Standing for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, it’s a device that pumps air through a mask and into the nose or mouth, helping to keep your airways open at night. While this can be an effective way to combat sleep apnea, it also has several drawbacks. The machine itself can be loud, the mask can be uncomfortable, and paying for the device can be expensive. It’s difficult to travel with and requires electricity throughout the night.
Luckily, there are alternatives to CPAP when it comes to dealing with sleep apnea. One of the alternatives is to wear an oral appliance at night. An oral appliance is a custom-fitted device that looks and functions a bit like a mouthguard. However, rather than protecting your teeth, it’s designed to keep your mouth positioned so that your airways remain open throughout the night. An oral appliance is much less expensive than a CPAP, is more portable, and many patients find it more comfortable than wearing a mask and hose apparatus. It can be a more convenient form of sleep assistance than CPAP.
How Much Do CPAP Alternatives Cost?
One of the challenges of living with a CPAP machine is its high cost. One machine can cost hundreds of dollars, putting it out of the price range of many who may need it. At your appointment, our team will work with your insurance company to ensure you get the most from your benefits. We also offer financing options that provide affordable monthly payment plans.
Start Sleeping Better With CPAP Alternatives
If you suffer from sleep apnea but don’t want to deal with bulky, loud, uncomfortable machinery while you sleep, call us to learn more about our CPAP alternatives. An oral appliance can be a convenient, simple, and quiet way to keep your airways open. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and see what an oral appliance can do for you.
