SNORING
Not everyone that snores has sleep apnea, but everyone with sleep apnea snores. Whether you know you snore or are not sure if you do, a sleep study is necessary to diagnose primary snoring and rule out sleep apnea before making a device for snoring.
REDUCE RISK
You can reduce your risk by:
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Losing weight, if you are overweight – this may help, but thin people can snore, too.
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Cutting down or avoiding alcohol and other sedatives at bedtime.
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Avoiding sleeping flat on your back.
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In and of itself, snoring is not thought to be a health problem, but not only may it indicate the more serious disorder of Sleep Apnea, some studies have associated Heavy Snoring as a Cause of Carotid Artery Atherosclerosis and Stroke. Study Conclusions: Considering the high prevalence of snoring, these findings have substantial public health implications for the management of carotid artery atherosclerosis. Sleep 2008:31(9)1207-12-13.
A custom anti-snoring device is an oral appliance that fits securely in your mouth while you sleep to prevent snoring. It works by moving the lower jaw and tongue muscles forward to open the airway and improve breathing.
Treating Mouth Breathing
Treatment for mouth breathing depends on the cause. Medications can treat nasal congestion due to colds and allergies. These medications include:
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nasal decongestants
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antihistamines
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prescription or over-the-counter steroid nasal sprays
Adhesive strips applied to the bridge of the nose can also help breathing. A stiff adhesive strip called a nasal dilator applied across the nostrils helps decrease airflow resistance and helps you breathe more easily through your nose.
If you have obstructive sleep apnea, your doctor will likely have you wear a face-mask appliance at night called continuous positive air pressure therapy (CPAP).
A CPAP appliance delivers air to your nose and mouth through a mask. The pressure of the air keeps your airways from collapsing and becoming blocked.
In children, surgical removal of swollen tonsils and adenoids can treat mouth breathing. A dentist might also recommend that your child wears an appliance designed to widen the palate and help open the sinuses and nasal passages. Braces and other orthodontic treatments might also help treat the underlying cause of mouth breathing.
SLEEP APNEA
If your diagnosis shows sleep apnea, you'll be happy to know that that does NOT necessarily mean a CPAP.
The majority of complaints we encounter from CPAP users are:
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The masks are ill fitting leading to air leakage
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The headgear is cumbersome and limits sleep position, straps cause irritation and loosen
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Too much air pressure is required to overcome the severity of the OSA, causing bloat and gas build up in the stomach
Alternatives to CPAP
APPLIANCE THERAPY
There are a variety of sleep appliances for those suffering with Sleep Apnea dependent upon the different conditions they present with clinically. A welcome alternative to CPAP, it is often covered by medical insurance plans. We' would be happy to process a predetermination of benefits prior to proceeding with treatment if this is the option chosen. Some appliances are not only effective but affordable option to CPAP in most instances.
Prosomnus EVO
Prosomnus is an easy-to-use and comfortable device that safely alleviates snoring and symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea. This appliance comes with several different arches that fit together in different configurations to allow for advancements.
SomnoDent Avant
A SomnoDent sleep apnea oral appliance is a premium, custom-fitted oral device developed for the treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. It is an effective, easy-to-use alternative to CPAP therapy for those with mild to moderate OSA. When wearing it, your lower jaw (mandible) will be moved forward into a comfortable position, allowing the tissues at the back of your throat to relax, and ensuring the base of your tongue does not collapse and block your airway.
