Local Care - Sleep Apnea

Sleep Disorder Treatment Can Solve Your Sleep Apnea Problems

A sleep disorder can wreak havoc on your life. Sleeping problems mean that your body doesn't get the rest it needs each night, leaving you tired throughout the day. Untreated sleep disorders can have serious consequences to both your physical and emotional health.

Obstructive sleep apnea is one of the most common sleeping problems. During sleep, your airway will sometimes be obstructed, leaving you unable to breathe. These "skipped breaths" are the core sleep apnea symptom.

Many people with sleep apnea don't even know it. They may feel tired during the day, and their spouse may complain that they snore, but they might never seek sleep apnea treatment. However, sleep doctors and dentists can offer a number of sleep apnea therapies, including a CPAP breathing mask worn at night.

The quality of your sleep has a direct relationship to the quality of your life. If you're not sleeping well, you might have a treatable sleeping disorder. Ask your dentist or physician if sleep medicine could help you.

+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.

CPAP Machines Let Sleep Apnea Patients Breathe Easier

CPAP machines provide continuous positive airway pressure during sleep to help sleep apnea patients breathe more easily. The pressurized air reaches the patient through a sleep mask that provides air all night long.

There are other breathing machines besides the CPAP machine. They tend to be more expensive than CPAP therapy, but some people find CPAP masks uncomfortable and find other treatments more effective.

A VPAP machine offers variable positive airway pressure, and a BiPAP machine is a bilevel positive airway pressure machine. In these, the pressure is different when inhaling than when exhaling. For some people, a VPAP mask or BiPAP mask can be more comfortable and make breathing feel more natural.

An APAP machine gives automatic positive airway pressure (also known as auto-titrating continuous positive airway pressure) through an APAP mask. This machine has sensors that monitor the patient's breathing, providing extra air when needed.

CPAP machines are one of the snoring aids that are often covered by insurance. However, insurance companies are less likely to cover treatment with APAP or VPAP. Most patients start with CPAP treatment, trying other machines only if they are not satisfied with CPAP therapy.

+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.