Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a dangerous yet often undiagnosed disease. It is estimated that at least 15 million people have undiagnosed sleep apnea. Even mild sleep apnea has been linked to increased heart disease and chances of heart attack, and has negative effects on diabetes, blood pressure, and many other illnesses. Untreated moderate sleep apnea increases the chances of a
heart attack by more than a factor of 15.
A patient suffering from untreated moderate sleep apnea has a reaction time, while driving, equal to that of an average person having two alcoholic drinks.
In the past, the only treatment for sleep apnea was a CPAP.
While a CPAP is still indicated in almost severe and severe cases, many patients find the CPAP difficult or impossible to utilize regularly. Fortunately, there are other alternatives when people suffer from mild to early moderate sleep apnea.
Testing for Sleep Apnea
In order to appropriately treat your individual sleep apnea and possible clenching and grinding problem, it is important to know the precise level of your clenching or grinding habit and its pattern while you are sleeping. This information is gathered through your wearing one of our home sleep tests with a cheek muscle sensor for one night. You then bring the test back to us and we plug it into a computer to obtain the necessary information.
This data ensures that we not only treat your unique problem effectively, but also do not perform any therapy you do not absolutely require. In addition to testing to see if you have a clenching or grinding habit, this home sleep test will help us determine the precise level of your sleep apnea and the most appropriate means by which to treat your problem.
Tutorial to use Sleep Study Device Below!
Treating Your Sleep Apnea
If you have mild to early moderate sleep apnea, Drs. Fugazzotto, Rost, and Brodsky will fabricate a specifically designed appliance, similar to a night-guard, for you to wear while sleeping.
This oral appliance repositions your lower jaw, allowing your throat tissues to open up and oxygen to enter naturally, rather than forcing oxygen in with a CPAP. Patients find these appliances easy to wear.
Many patients state that “their lives were changed after just one night” with regard to energy throughout the day and overall awareness.