Sleep Apnea Doctors Provide Solutions to Sleeping Problems

Sleep apnea is a disorder where breathing pauses or stops for a few seconds during sleep. It is experienced by many people. In mild cases, the person himself may not even know that he is suffering from some kind of disorder, and may dismiss the matter as just some kind of sleeping nuance. But some types, like obstructive sleep apnea, may be chronic and lead eventually to noticeable effects of sleep deprivation, and even serious complications.

Sufferers may snore, however this is not always the case and their partners may call their attention to the problem. Some only realize they have a problem when they often feel exhausted from apparent lack of rest and find it difficult to focus on their tasks the following day.

Sleep apnea doctors, after hearing the manifestations of the problem from the patient, may need to observe the patient directly and may require that the patient sleep in the laboratory for a night or two. Based on the direct observation of the patient and an assessment of what really happens, the doctors will recommend treatment, which can range from simple modifications in sleeping habits or lifestyle, to the use of oral devices to align the jaw properly and keep the airways open.

Finding the Appropriate Device for Individual Needs

There are a number of oral devices that have been approved by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) for treatment. There are breathing machines or airway pressure devices, and oral appliances. Sleep apnea doctors team up with dentists who help them decide what type of device would be suitable to each individual patient. When a device is recommended, the patient is usually asked to sleep again at the laboratory, during which the specialists will observe if the device is working excellently for the patient.

The kind of device or treatment recommended will depend on what was found to be causing the sleep problem — whether it is misalignment of the jaw, or a tissue blocking the airway, or a neurological dysfunction, or mere sleeping posture. In any case, the doctors will make sure that the recommended treatment is the right solution to the patient’s sleep apnea problems, and in the case of devices, the patient will be observed first if the device is effectively solving the problem before the final prescription is made.

Sleep apnea is a disorder where breathing pauses or stops
for a few seconds during sleep. It is experienced by many
people. In mild cases, the person himself may not even know
that he is suffering from some kind of disorder, and may
dismiss the matter as just some kind of sleeping nuance. But
some types, like obstructive sleep apnea, may be chronic and
lead eventually to noticeable effects of sleep deprivation,
and even serious complications.