CPAP Not Working
There is a better way than using a CPAP machine to get a good night’s sleep. You can successfully treat your sleep apnea symptoms without having to use such an invasive treatment as CPAP, and yes, your dentist can help!
Dr. Hale has had years of training in the treatment of sleep apnea, and he’s a member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine. That’s the only non-profit professional association that is dedicated exclusively to helping patients suffering from sleep disturbance with dental sleep medicine.
At Fort Wayne Sleep Solutions, the oral device Dr. Hale uses is an appliance that is similar to a mouthguard. It doesn’t force air into your airway like a CPAP machine does; instead, it keeps the soft tissues at the back of your throat from blocking your airway.
That’s the number one type of sleep apnea – it’s called obstructive sleep apnea. This oral device is FDA-approved, and it can be an effective treatment for getting your sleep apnea under control.
- No noise from machines or in-mask breathing
- Easy to clean
- Small and portable
- Convenient for travel
- No electricity required
- Comfortable and easy to use
- Reduce or prevent bruxism (grinding)
- No hoses to get tangled in during sleep
- No mask to cause skin irritations
- No feelings of claustrophobia
CPAP Cramping Your Style?
Are you a sleep apnea patient who just can’t handle that unwieldy CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) device anymore? Tired of lugging it everywhere you go and having to wear it on your face every night? You aren’t the first, and you won’t be the last sleep apnea patient looking for an acceptable alternative.
CPAP failure is often caused by issues outside of your control:
- Seasonal allergies or ongoing congestion
- Nasal, sinus or upper palate issues (such as a deviated septum)
- Skin irritation on face
- Nasal irritation, dryness or bleeding
- Claustrophobia or sensation of suffocation
- Respiratory infections
- Abdominal bloating & gas
- Machine disturbs sleep (or partner’s sleep)
These and other issues make CPAP failure common for many obstructive sleep apnea sufferers. Luckily, there are alternatives. Before you give up on CPAP therapy, contact Dr. Jonathan Hale. He has years of experience and training in treating sleep apnea, and he prefers to use an oral appliance to help treat this unnerving and unhealthy problem.
Comparing And Contrasting CPAP And Oral Appliance Therapy
CPAP and Oral appliance therapy differ in significant ways. The CPAP mask forces air into the airway in order to keep it open. An oral appliance adjusts the positioning of the jaw or tongue to reduce the likelihood of an airway obstruction during sleep. The CPAP covers a sizeable portion of the patient’s face and can make them feel uncomfortable or even claustrophobic, while an oral appliance is worn inside of the patient’s mouth and is much more tolerable. The CPAP device is also inconvenient for travel, while an oral appliance can be easily stowed into a patient’s luggage.
Hate traveling with CPAP?
Added Stress
Whether it’s for vacation or work, travel can be stressful. Traveling with a CPAP machine is an added inconvenience. The additional weight of the machine and getting through security checkpoints can make traveling with a CPAP frustrating.
Added Challenges
Plus, once you arrive at your destination you’ll need to find distilled or deionized water for your humidifier. Then hope there’s an electrical outlet close to your bed. And, if traveling internationally, you’ll need the correct adapter.
Added Failure
Traveling during inclement weather or to remote surroundings can lead to problems with power reliability. These scenarios require you to choose between carrying a back-up battery or going without your treatment. This also contributes to higher failure or non-compliance rates.
Why Is It Important to Treat Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea can have several adverse lifestyle effects, and it can endanger your health. Because the problem keeps you from getting a good night’s sleep, it can cause problems with attention, moodiness, and physical discomfort, just to name a few.
Moreover, it can have serious health consequences as it puts you at an increased risk for stroke, high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, and Type 2 diabetes. Additionally, you’ll get a backache sleeping on the couch every night!
That’s why you should not give up on treatment just because you want to give up on your CPAP machine. Before you do that, contact us at Fort Wayne Sleep Solutions and schedule an appointment with Dr. Hale today! Before you know it, you’ll be dreaming the night away without a noisy, unwieldy CPAP machine causing nightmares for you and your partner!