If you’re constantly tired during the day and your partner complains about your loud snoring at night, you may be suffering from sleep apnea. This common but serious sleep disorder comes in different levels of sleep apnea severity, and getting properly diagnosed is crucial for your health and quality of life.

Moderate vs. Severe Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep. The severity is determined by how frequently these breathing interruptions occur:

  • Moderate sleep apnea: 15 to 30 breathing pauses per hour
  • Severe sleep apnea: More than 30 breathing pauses per hour

While both levels require treatment, severe sleep apnea poses a greater risk for serious health complications like high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. It can also lead to excessive daytime sleepiness, increasing your risk of accidents.

The Importance of Proper Diagnosis

Many people dismiss snoring as a mere annoyance, but it could be a sign of sleep apnea. Getting a proper diagnosis is essential because:

  • It confirms whether you have sleep apnea and its severity
  • It rules out other potential sleep disorders
  • It allows your healthcare provider to recommend the most effective treatment
  • Untreated sleep apnea can lead to serious health problems

A sleep study, either at home or in a sleep lab, is typically used to diagnose sleep apnea. This painless test monitors your breathing, heart rate, and other vital signs while you sleep. At the Sleep Apnea Center of Novi, we can help you arrange a home test, which many people find more comfortable and convenient than doing an off-site test. 

Treatment Options for Better Sleep & Health

Once diagnosed, you’ll have several treatment options:

  • Lifestyle changes
  • Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)
  • Oral appliance therapy 

If your sleep apnea is mild, you may be able to manage it by losing weight, avoiding alcohol before bed, and sleeping on your side, among other lifestyle changes. Dr. Ross can offer many suggestions for you to try to determine if this approach will work for you. 

A CPAP is a commonly prescribed treatment for apnea. This machine delivers air pressure through a mask to keep your airway open during sleep. It’s highly effective, but some people find it uncomfortable. However, if your sleep apnea is severe, a CPAP may be necessary.

For many patients, especially those with mild to moderate sleep apnea, an oral appliance can be an excellent alternative to CPAP. You wear the custom-made device, similar to a mouthguard, while sleeping. It works by repositioning your lower jaw slightly forward. This keeps your airway open so you can breathe. It allows for more restful sleep and reduces or eliminates your snoring. 

Many patients find oral appliances:

  • Comfortable – You won’t have a mask or tubing to constrain you while you sleep. You’re also less likely to experience a dry mouth with an appliance.
  • Portable – Since an appliance fits into your hand and doesn’t require a power source, it can be easily transported and used virtually anywhere – including on an airplane or in a car. 
  • Easy to use – You simply put the appliance into your mouth. That’s it! Both you and your bed partner will find it less distracting than a CPAP. It’s also much easier to clean and maintain. 

Don’t let sleep apnea rob you of restful nights and healthy days! If you suspect you might have this condition, schedule a consultation with our dental office. We’ll guide you through the diagnosis process and help determine your sleep apnea severity. Knowing that, your dentist can discuss whether an oral appliance might be the right solution for you. To ensure your treatment is effective, we work closely with your primary care physician and any specialty physicians such as a cardiologist or gastroenterologist.

Call The Sleep Apnea Center of Novi at 248-264-3922 for your appointment in Novi, MI. You can also contact us online.