06 Oct Sleep Apnea: Looking for a CPAP alternative?
Is a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device considered to be the gold standard in sleep apnea treatment? Yes. Do so many patients get fed up with their CPAPs that they abandon treatment entirely? Also yes. Fortunately, there is a CPAP alternative that is a better fit for patients’ lifestyles.
Forgoing sleep apnea treatment entirely can result in significant health consequences for patients, so it’s important to explore other treatments if you are done with your CPAP. For example, you can consult with a dentist who provides oral appliance therapy as a CPAP alternative.
The Many Problems of CPAPs
Although CPAPs are highly effective, they also have significant drawbacks. It’s no wonder that patients often find it difficult to comply with CPAP therapy, considering that the devices are:
- Uncomfortable and can even induce anxiety or panic symptoms in some patients
- Inconvenient
- Bulky
In fact, some patients complain that using a CPAP device is as disruptive to their sleep as the sleep apnea itself, so they don’t see the value in continuing to use the device.
Consequences of Untreated Sleep Apnea
It’s easy to understand the temptation to forego sleep apnea treatment if you think a CPAP is your only option. However, sleep apnea patients who abandon their CPAPs with no alternative in place are putting themselves at risk for several health problems, such as:
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Depression
This is far from a comprehensive list. There is some evidence that untreated sleep apnea is even associated with an increased risk of sudden death. Clearly, there’s a compelling case to pursue a CPAP alternative to sleep apnea treatment in order to protect your health.
How A Dentist Can Help Treat Your Sleep Apnea without A CPAP
A dentist can provide sleep apnea treatment through oral appliance therapy. With this treatment, the patient wears a custom-designed mouthguard that holds the jaw or tongue forward to eliminate the conditions that cause apneic episodes.
These mouthguards are comfortable and convenient, and compliance rates with oral appliance therapy are high as a result.
Are you ready to bid your CPAP a permanent farewell? Call Crosspointe Sleep Solutions to schedule an evaluation and learn about the benefits of oral appliance therapy to see if it might be a good CPAP alternative for you.