Sleep apnea is more than a sleep problem. It affects your energy, your mood, and your long-term health. Here is what to know, and how we can help.
Book a Complimentary ConsultObstructive sleep apnea (OSA) happens when the muscles in the back of your throat relax during sleep and the soft tissue collapses into your airway. Breathing becomes shallow or stops entirely, sometimes for ten seconds or longer, until your brain briefly wakes you to reopen the airway. This cycle can repeat dozens or even hundreds of times a night, usually without you remembering it.
The result is sleep that never becomes truly restful, along with repeated drops in blood oxygen that strain the heart, brain, and metabolism over time. An estimated 54 million adults in the U.S., about 1 in 5, have obstructive sleep apnea, and most of them have never been diagnosed.
There is also a less common form called central sleep apnea, in which the brain doesn't send the proper signals to breathe. Oral appliance therapy treats obstructive sleep apnea, the far more common type.
Many symptoms happen while you're asleep, so a bed partner is often the first to notice. Others show up during the day.
Sleep apnea affects people of every age and body type, including active, healthy adults. Your risk is higher if any of these apply:
Untreated sleep apnea is linked to high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, atrial fibrillation, type 2 diabetes, and drowsy-driving accidents. The good news is that effective treatment can improve sleep quality, daytime energy, and overall health. See the health risks →
Sleep apnea can only be diagnosed with a sleep study that is reviewed by a sleep physician. Today, most patients can complete a home sleep test: a small device worn for a night or two in your own bed that measures breathing, oxygen levels, and heart rate. Some patients are referred for an overnight study in a sleep lab instead.
Your results include an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), the average number of times per hour your breathing stops or becomes shallow:
| AHI (events per hour) | Severity |
|---|---|
| Fewer than 5 | Normal |
| 5 to 14 | Mild sleep apnea |
| 15 to 29 | Moderate sleep apnea |
| 30 or more | Severe sleep apnea |
There is no one-size-fits-all treatment. The right choice depends on your diagnosis, your anatomy, and what you'll actually use every night.
A machine delivers pressurized air through a mask to keep the airway open. Highly effective when worn, but many people find the mask, hose, and noise hard to tolerate night after night.
A custom-fit mouthpiece gently positions the lower jaw forward to keep the airway open. Quiet, portable, and covered by most medical insurance, including Medicare. This is our specialty.
Weight loss, positional therapy, nasal treatment, and surgical options can help some patients, often in combination with CPAP or an oral appliance. We coordinate with your physicians on the best plan.
Schedule your complimentary consultation and take the first step toward restful nights and brighter days along 30A.
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