What is Sleep Apnea?
Overcome the Condition Stopping You From Sleeping
Do you struggle to wake up? Are you moody when others approach you? Do you find it difficult to focus on the task at hand?
All of these issues can be linked back to sleep apnea.
This dangerous sleep disorder affects millions of Americans and remains largely undiagnosed. An estimated 80% of those with sleep apnea do not have a diagnosis.
Sleep apnea causes people to experience severe fatigue, has long-term effects on their physical and mental health, and brings consequences for their personal and professional lives.
Transform Your Life With Sleep Apnea Therapy
Star Sleep & Wellness wants to transform your life and give you the sleep you deserve.
We provide non-surgical solutions to treat sleep apnea, improving sleep patterns and overall health.
Our team of sleep physicians is here to offer life-changing solutions designed to improve breathing, give you more sleep, and enhance your quality of life.
We help people improve their lives through sleep apnea treatment by analyzing data with advanced technologies, diagnosing the problem, treating the condition, and following up with patients—all in one place.
Call us to schedule a consultation and learn more.
An Introduction to Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is caused by an obstruction in your airway, making it impossible for air to flow. It typically occurs when soft tissues inside your mouth collapse onto the throat.
As a result, you stop breathing.
This causes your body to alert the brain that it needs to breathe. Your brain wakes you suddenly, often gasping for air.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common form of sleep apnea. It can cause these episodes to occur hundreds of times each night.
Untreated sleep apnea can lead to extreme health problems, ranging from the development of diabetes to heart attack or stroke.
Types of Treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea
We know that no two patients are the same, so having a range of options is very beneficial to the success of your therapy.
Oral Appliance Therapy
Oral appliance therapy is one of the most popular methods of obstructive sleep apnea treatment.
These shift your jaw slightly forward using a custom-made oral device that is worn at night, allowing your airway to remain unobstructed.
Oral appliances prevent your soft tissues from collapsing into your throat to ensure you can breathe and sleep well.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the most widely known and common method of treating sleep apnea.
CPAP machines are effective. They blow a steady stream of air into the airway so that it doesn’t become obstructed.
However, many patients struggle with CPAP machines because they are hard to maneuver and bulky, making them difficult to travel with, and others do not like the air pressure.
Combination Therapy
It may be useful to combine CPAP and oral appliance therapy in some severe cases of sleep apnea.
Using an oral device and a CPAP machine at night multiplies their effects for a more peaceful night.
The pressure of the CPAP device can be reduced by combining the two therapies. This makes it more comfortable and less noisy.
Health & Wellness Coaching
Star Sleep & Wellness provides health and wellness coaching because certain lifestyle issues can lead to obstructive sleep apnea.
Our team of specialized sleep doctors, as well as a licensed psychologist and nurse practitioner, is here to help, whether you’re struggling with weight gain, poor diet, anxiety, depression, or you’re taking certain medications that make it difficult to sleep.
We will help you work through these issues to achieve better rest.
Surgery
Sleep apnea surgery is rarely required, which is why we only offer non-surgical solutions.
However, we may recommend surgical intervention if all other treatment options have been tried and are unsuccessful.
This can include the removal of your tonsils or adenoids, or the reconstruction of portions of your airway.
How We Diagnose Sleep Apnea
We understand that living with any kind of sleep disorder can be challenging and exhausting.
Star Sleep & Wellness provides options to diagnose sleep apnea.
At-Home Sleep Apnea Testing
We will recommend an at-home sleep study if our initial examinations suggest your sleep apnea is not linked to a serious health condition.
At-home sleep apnea testing is easy to use. You’ll be given a device to wear while you sleep that monitors your vital signs throughout the night.
Sleep testing devices are comfortable and upload the data for diagnosis by one of our sleep physicians once they are complete.
At-home testing usually takes one night to gather the information. Occasionally, two or three nights are necessary.
They are considered to be just as accurate as in-lab testing for less severe cases of sleep apnea and those that aren’t connected to other health issues.
The Three Forms of Sleep Apnea
When discussing the sleep disorder with our team, you will learn there are three types—obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea (CSA), and complex sleep apnea.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea is the result of a blockage in the airway that stops breathing for 10 or more seconds.
You wake suddenly, gasping for air. This process can occur multiple times each night.
Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type, and it affects millions of Americans who are often under- or misdiagnosed.
Central Sleep Apnea
Central sleep apnea is the result of a disconnect between the body and the brain.
The brain doesn’t send signals to the muscles controlling breathing, and airflow stops.
This can create serious problems that often result in a person choking when they suddenly wake.
Complex Sleep Apnea
Complex sleep apnea patients have both CSA and OSA, which is extremely rare.
What Causes Sleep Apnea
Risk factors include:
Being overweight or obese
Having a genetic predisposition
Smoking or using tobacco products
Having a narrow airway
Missing teeth
A recessed lower jaw
Sleeping on your back
Having fat accumulations around the neck
Consuming excessive amounts of alcohol
Possessing enlarged adenoids or tonsils
Diabetes
An enlarged tongue
A deviated septum
The Signs of Sleep Apnea
Many symptoms of sleep apnea are similar to those caused by other disorders. It’s important to know what to look for so that you can get the help you need.
Common sleep apnea symptoms include:
Loud, frequent snoring
Moodiness
Chronic fatigue
Anxiety or depression
Dry mouth
Gasping for air throughout the night
Inability to focus or concentrate
Loss of libido
Regular headaches
Sore throat
Frequent urination at night
What Potential Complications Can Occur with Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea often leads to certain complications.
These include:
Heart disease
Frequent headaches
High blood pressure
Weight gain that leads to being overweight or obese
Poor work performance
Chronic fatigue
Increased risk of car crashes
Heart attack or stroke
Moodiness
Diabetes
Does Insurance Cover Sleep Apnea Treatment?
Most medical insurance providers cover sleep apnea treatment. We’re here to help you get the most out of your plan.
Our team will review your coverage and determine how best to maximize your benefits when preparing to use your policy to cover expenses.
We are happy to be in-network with an extensive network of insurance providers, Tricare, and Medicare, and accept plans from other healthcare providers.
We will help lower the costs by obtaining a pre-authorization, as well as explain any additional expenses that the treatment may incur.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea FAQs
How Long Do Obstructive Sleep Apnea Episodes Last?
Each person’s sleep patterns are different, so only a formal sleep study can determine the duration and frequency of your apnea episodes. They can last 10 seconds to two minutes and can occur anywhere from five to 30 times an hour on average. A mild case of sleep apnea is considered to include up to 15 events per hour, while a severe case is 30 episodes or more.
Can I Travel With Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Yes, you can travel if you have obstructive sleep apnea. You may need to make a few adjustments depending on the type of treatment you receive and your method of travel. For example, flying with a CPAP machine may require you to inform the airline about your device because each company has a different policy. You will be able to insert an oral appliance into your carry-on bag with no issues.
Make sure you stick to your normal sleep routine as much as possible when traveling. Staying up too late or sleeping in later than usual can make it difficult to get the rest you need, even while wearing your appropriate sleep device.
Can I Receive Oral Appliance Therapy if I Grind My Teeth?
Yes, wearing an oral appliance can help minimize the damage caused by teeth grinding. This is one of the many benefits you can expect to enjoy when choosing this type of treatment. Oral appliances reduce bruxism. Your tooth enamel does not wear down, and your jaw joints don’t experience excessive pressure or pain.
It is not uncommon for individuals with obstructive sleep apnea to struggle with teeth grinding. Tell our team about your bruxism so we can prepare the right treatment plan for you.
Will My Sleep Apnea Go Away if I Lose Weight?
It can certainly help if you are overweight or obese. Losing unwanted pounds can reduce the amount of fat located around your neck and open up your airway. Meeting with Katie Collier to discuss a weight loss plan can be a positive first step in helping you get the rest you need while also taking better care of your overall health.
It’s important to undergo a thorough consultation with a sleep dentist to determine if your weight is the cause of your obstructive sleep apnea. If so, you should begin to see a noticeable difference as you start to lose these unwanted pounds.
Discover the Cause of Your Sleep Problems
You’re not alone if you wake up every morning feeling like you haven’t slept a wink. You don’t have to keep guessing at the cause.
At Star Sleep & Wellness, we’re here to give you answers about what’s disrupting your sleep.
We’ll listen to your concerns and help you find treatment that fits your life, whether you’re ready to book a consultation or just want to start with a quick sleep screener.
Take the next step with confidence—let’s uncover what’s really behind your sleep issues together.
