The first step towards proper sleep apnea treatment is a professional diagnosis. Dr. Dunayer will work with a sleep physician that will be able to diagnose you with sleep apnea if you have it. Once a diagnosis is received, Dr. Dunayer can help you with sleep apnea treatment as appropriate. It’s important to have a proper diagnosis before undergoing treatment as each type of sleep apnea can be treated in a different way, and the severity of your condition will also influence the treatment recommendation you receive from your doctor. Contact us today to learn more about sleep apnea treatment at our West Nyack dental office.

CPAP

man wearing CPAP maskThe CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine has become the gold standard treatment method for sleep apnea. CPAP uses a pressure hose along with some sort of mask that sleep apnea patients have to wear over the mouth and/or nose while they sleep. The machine provides a continuous stream of pressurized air that is able to keep the airway open. With the CPAP machine, sleep apneics are able to breathe normally while sleeping…that is, if they can sleep while using it.

Though the CPAP machine and the technology behind it is widely praised and is extremely helpful to patients who can tolerate it, many sleep apnea patients find it uncomfortable and some flat out hate it. These patients find it hard to sleep with a mask on due to discomfort while others do not like the constant hum or buzz of the machine, especially if a high pressure setting is required. Others find themselves fighting with the air hose all night. Whatever the reason, many sleep apnea patients discover that they get just as little rest using a CPAP as they do without it and are therefore deemed CPAP-intolerant. Thankfully, CPAP-intolerant patients can use other sleep apnea treatment methods to keep sleep apnea at bay.

Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT)

Oral appliance sleep apnea therapy involves use of one of the many appliances available to treat sleep apnea. These appliances are designed reposition the lower jaw forward which allows for a more opened airway so that breathing can continue normally throughout the night. Sleep dentists like Dr. Dunayer have found that many patients do much better using oral appliance therapy than with CPAP. They more readily use their oral appliances than they did their CPAP, and increased treatment compliance means better outcomes.

Other Sleep Apnea Treatment Options

Some patients may require alternative sleep apnea treatments or a combination of sleep apnea treatments. Dr. Dunayer may refer you to a physician  for a surgical consult to consider removing soft tissues within the throat such as the adenoids, tonsils, uvula, and others that may cause blockage at night.

Weight-loss surgery is also indicated for some sleep apnea patients. Overweight individuals are more prone to suffering from sleep apnea because excess fat within the neck and throat area can put pressure on the airway. Patients who are unable to lose weight with just diet and exercise may need to consult a bariatric surgeon for weight-loss surgery.

Of course, surgery is always a last resort and Dr. Dunayer prefers to treat sleep apnea with non-surgical methods whenever possible, which is most of the time.

Schedule Your Sleep Apnea Appointment Today

With proper sleep apnea treatment you won’t only sleep better, but you’ll live better as well! Sleep apnea treatment will give you back the energy you need. Contact our office today to schedule a sleep apnea treatment consultation. If you’re in the Rockland County area, call (845)-262-2265 or contact us online.