Some twenty-two million Americans cope with a disorder called sleep apnea, a condition in which breathing is distrupted repeatedly during sleep. It’s a serious condition, but treatable at Poss Sleep Apnea & TMJ Solutions in Brentwood TN.
There are several forms of sleep apnea. The most common, by far, is called obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA. The soft tissues in the back of the throat relax during sleep and block the sleeper’s airway.
OSA keeps the brain from getting enough oxygen. Since breathing disruptions can happen over and over during sleep, the condition can be quite serious, leading to potenitally life-threatening ailments like high blood pressure and heart disease.
There is a very effective treatment called CPAP, which stands for Continuous Positive Air Pressure. Trouble is, a lot of people can’t stand using CPAP and quit, leaving them back at square one.
CPAP Issues
CPAP involves wearing a mask that covers the nose and mouth as it blows a steady stream of air. If it’s so effective, how come so many patients hate it?
The most common issues:
- The mask takes some getting used to: it can be uncomfortable to sleep in
- Some patients can’t tolerate the forced air
- The CPAP machine itself may be too loud, especially for light sleepers
- The CPAP machien requires daily maintenance
An alternative treatment has emerged in recent years called oral appliance therapy, sometiems shortened to OAT. The appliance resembles a mouth guard, and it repositions the lower jaw to prevent soft tissues from collapsing and blocking the airway.
OAT has been a Godsend to those who can’t stand CPAP.
The first step in treating sleep apnea is having an accurate diagnosis. From there, we can develop a treatment plan that’s right for you. At Poss Sleep Apnea and TMJ Solutions in Brentwood TN, sleep apnea is our specialty. Call us to schedule an appointment today!
615-850-8445
Location (Tap To Open In Google Maps):
1177 Old Hickory Blvd, Suite 203
Brentwood, TN 37027
