Sleep apnea therapy can be a complicated subject, so it’s understandable that patients will likely have questions or concerns. At Sleep Better Baytown, Dr. Hutto and the rest of our team have plenty of answers to share! Take a look through the answers to our frequently asked sleep apnea questions below, and don’t hesitate to contact us directly if you don’t see the information you’re looking for. We want you to be able to pursue treatment with us confidently.
There are two major types of sleep apnea. The most common version is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which occurs when the patient’s airway becomes partially or fully blocked during rest – this is also the type that Dr. Hutto is capable of treating with oral appliance therapy. Additionally, there is central sleep apnea (CSA), which occurs when the brain isn’t properly signaling the rest of the body to inhale and exhale properly. In rare cases, patients may experience a combination of both forms of sleep apnea.
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Hutto! During this visit, he can comprehensively assess your condition and determine whether or not oral appliance therapy is a good fit for your particular symptoms.
First, take a look at the STOP-BANG assessment! This fast and simple questionnaire covers many common symptoms of sleep apnea and will help you determine your overall risk. If the findings are concerning in any way, Dr. Hutto will want to then welcome you in for a consultation so that he can examine your mouth and discuss your sleeping habits in greater detail. At this stage, sleep testing may be advisable, whether at a trusted sleep center or with our at-home sleep testing equipment. Our team will be happy to help coordinate this diagnostic care and even provide guidance regarding your medical insurance benefits.
Once you have a solid diagnosis of OSA in hand, it will be time to return to Sleep Better Baytown for an exploration of therapy options. We look forward to helping you achieve high-quality, uninterrupted rest at last!
Sleep apnea therapy (including custom-made oral appliances) is actually covered by medical insurance in most cases. At Sleep Better Baytown, we’ll be happy to guide you through this claims process and help you maximize the reimbursements you deserve through your particular provider.
Snoring
Snoring is defined as air vibrating through the nose, throat, and/or sinuses during sleep. This common “bad habit” can be caused by several different factors, including nasal passage injuries, illnesses, allergies, and the presence of untreated sleep apnea in Baytown. However, it’s important to keep in mind that not ALL patients who snore have sleep apnea – and vice versa too! Because it’s a likely symptom, though, we do strongly recommend that chronic snorers undergo testing to rule out the possibility.
Snoring can be minimized by making healthy alterations to your lifestyle like exercising, losing weight, decreasing your alcohol consumption, and avoiding the use of tobacco products. There are also a variety of over-the-counter products available that may be able to help, including nasal sprays and special pillows, but these solutions may only provide temporary relief. If snoring persists even after making healthy changes, contact our office right away so we can help determine the cause.
Snoring is an incredibly common condition that impacts both men and women of all ages. Occasional snoring is usually nothing serious, however if it occurs consistently, it will disrupt your sleep pattern and effect your overall rest. While you may not be able to notice your own snoring, your sleep partner can be aware and on the look out for its habitual occurrence.
Surprisingly, snoring can cause a strain on the heart, leading to increased risks of issues like high blood pressure, strokes, heart attacks, and more. Snoring may also lead to low oxygen levels in the blood, which can cause pulmonary hypertension. That’s why you should contact our office if you notice excessive snoring!
Oral Appliances
Our custom-made oral appliances are designed to help you breathe and sleep better. We create special mouthpieces that position your jaw and/or tongue in a way that keep your airway clear and open for breathing. This minimizes the interruptions that sleep apnea causes throughout the night, leading to more productive days. The best part is that your oral appliance is incredibly easy to use and travel-friendly!
One of the most significant benefits of oral appliance therapy is that side effects are rare. Our oral appliances are personalized to be completely comfortable, allowing you to seamlessly transition in and out of wearing them. If any side effects do occur, they are incredibly minimal—dry mouth, excessive saliva, and slight jaw or tooth discomfort. We will be with you every step of the way to ensure your treatment is successful!
In many cases, patients have achieved equal or greater relief from sleep apnea with oral appliance therapy when compared to a traditional CPAP machine. This is because more people are likely to use the oral appliance on a consistent basis! Intolerance rates are high with CPAPs, and users often forego treatment because they simply can’t handle the noise and discomfort associated with the therapy. By providing a more convenient and portable alternative, finding relief doesn’t have to be an uphill road for countless tired patients.