Sleep Apnea Treatment in Columbia, MO

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea literally means “without breath”.

During sleep apnea oxygen levels drop. Carbon dioxide levels build.  If this happened only occasionally, it might not be as alarming and detrimental to your health.  But the reality for some individuals is that it can, and does happen, hundreds of times per night, making it hard to get any sleep at all.

Untreated sleep apnea can make you more likely to suffer illness or injury.  It has been linked to obesity, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and even death.  While you are sleeping, how do you know if this is happening to you?

Signs of sleep apnea

  1. snoring that may disrupt the sleep of others
  2. gasping, coughing, or choking upon waking
  3. waking with your heart racing
  4. waking up tired after a full night’s sleep
  5. waking up with a headache
  6. feeling very sleepy during the day
  7. falling asleep without intending to
  1. problems with memory or concentration
  2. feeling irritable, short-tempered
  3. weight gain, inability to lose weight
  4. acid reflux in adults
  5. ad/hd in children
  6. erectile dysfunction, decreased sex drive

How to know when it's serious

Apneas can last from 10 seconds to a minute or longer and can occur hundreds of times per night.

The body’s oxygen level drops and the blood pressure rises.  The heart is forced to beat faster, causing the pulse rate to increase. The brain may cause the arms, legs, or whole body to jerk in an attempt to wake the sleeper so breathing will resume. The silence may end with a loud snort, cough, or gasp. This causes the sleeper to wake briefly and begin breathing. Once asleep again the muscles relax and the airway becomes blocked, cutting off the airway. The serious and life threatening problems start when sleepers begin experiencing apneas, where breathing stops, and hypopneas, where breathing is shallow due to an obstruction. Breathing is usually blocked in the back of the throat because:

THE TONGUE AND MUSCLES RELAX DURING SLEEP.
THE LOWER JAW FALLS BACK TOWARD THE THROAT.
THE AIRWAY BECOMES BLOCKED.

Before & After Treatment

Illustrations showing difference between normal breathing and obstructive sleep apnea. During snoring airflow is partially blocked.
Illustrations showing difference between normal breathing and obstructive sleep apnea. During snoring airflow is partially blocked.

How to treat sleep apnea

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) Treatment

A custom-made oral appliance fitting on the upper and lower teeth is worn during sleep. The oral appliance repositions the lower jaw, tongue, soft palate and uvula. This prevents the collapse of the tongue and soft tissues in the back of the throat keeping the airway open during sleep and promotes adequate air intake.

Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) vs. CPAP

Which Sleep Apnea Treatment Is Right for You?

If you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea, your doctor may recommend treatment to keep your airway open while you sleep. Two of the most common options are CPAP therapy and Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT).

Both treatments are designed to prevent airway collapse during sleep, but they work in very different ways. Understanding the differences can help you and your provider choose the best solution for your comfort, lifestyle, and severity of sleep apnea.

CPAP Therapy

CPAP Therapy (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure)

CPAP therapy has long been considered the gold standard treatment for sleep apnea, particularly for moderate to severe cases.

A CPAP machine uses a motor to push a steady stream of pressurized air through a mask worn over the nose or mouth. This air pressure keeps the airway open throughout the night, preventing breathing interruptions.

Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT)

CPAP Therapy (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure)

Oral Appliance Therapy offers a different approach to treating sleep apnea. Instead of using air pressure, a custom dental device gently repositions the lower jaw forward while you sleep.

This small adjustment helps keep the tongue and soft tissues from collapsing into the airway, allowing air to flow more freely throughout the night.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA

Steps for Starting Therapy

What is Oral Appliance Therapy? sleep apnea dental appliance

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