FAQs
What causes snoring?
Snoring is often due to our anatomy. The back of the mouth is a crowded space, with the soft palate, tongue, and tonsils, and the airway in between. When we sleep, these muscles relax, causing the soft tissues to vibrate as air passes through. The more tissue there is, the more it vibrates, creating that snoring sound.
How do you treat snoring, and does it always need treatment?
Not all snoring is medically concerning; it can be more of a social problem, affecting a partner more than the individual. However, very loud snoring, or snoring that wakes you up or feels like choking, could indicate sleep apnea, a potentially serious condition. A percentage of people who snore also have sleep apnea, so it’s important to differentiate.
What exactly is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea occurs when the relaxed tissues in the throat completely collapse, blocking the airway and depriving the body of oxygen for at least 10 seconds. This compromises vital organs like the heart and lungs. People often describe waking up feeling like they’re choking. It’s a common symptom, and spouses frequently report seeing their partner stop breathing during sleep, which can be very frightening.
I'm tired by mid-day, is that a symptom of Sleep Apnea?
Tiredness can have many causes. Staying up late, for example, can cause fatigue, but sleep apnea is a major cause of persistent daytime sleepiness. People with sleep apnea might even fall asleep while driving, which is dangerous. Many also wake up with a foggy feeling because their breathing is disrupted repeatedly throughout the night, preventing deep, restful sleep.
How common is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is quite prevalent, with conservative estimates suggesting 6-10% of the population has it. Some studies indicate rates as high as 20-30%. Despite its prevalence, it’s often undiagnosed. For instance, about 50-60% of people with heart failure have sleep-related breathing disorders, but only 2% are diagnosed and treated.
What are some other symptoms of Sleep Apnea?
Besides snoring and interrupted breathing, symptoms include daytime sleepiness, difficulty focusing, memory loss, frequent nighttime bathroom trips, and feeling foggy. Some symptoms are subtle, and sometimes it’s only the partner who notices the interrupted breathing.
How is Sleep Apnea diagnosed?
The gold standard is a polysomnography or PSG sleep test, usually done in a lab where sensors monitor brain activity, breathing, oxygen levels, and more. It’s non-invasive, and results give us detailed information about sleep apnea and other possible disorders. Recently, home sleep studies have become available, allowing patients to be tested in the comfort of their own beds, which has improved diagnosis rates.
Once diagnosed, how is Sleep Apnea treated?
Fortunately, there are several treatment options. The most common is positive airway pressure therapy, commonly known as CPAP, which delivers air to keep the airway open. Other options include oral appliances which reposition the lower jaw to keep the airway open. Better Sleep Mid-Ohio Valley specializes in oral appliance therapy to treat sleep apnea. There’s also the Inspire device, an upper airway stimulation therapy that acts like a pacemaker to keep the airway muscles open. Some of these treatment options can be used together to optimize outcomes, for example, an oral appliance can be used in conjunction with a CPAP machine, often allowing the pressure setting on the CPAP to lowered, thus increasing patient comfort.
How do you treat Sleep Apnea?
We specialize in Oral Appliance Therapy, offering various options.
What are the risks if Sleep Anea isn't treated?
Untreated sleep apnea can be fatal. It’s linked to a higher risk of accidents, especially on the road, and medical complications like heart disease. Chronic sleep deprivation also affects mental health, leading to depression, memory loss, and decreased performance at work.
Is there a correlation between Sleep Apnea and sleepwalking?
Generally, they are distinct conditions. Sleepwalking is more common in children, but if someone already has sleepwalking tendencies, sleep apnea could exacerbate it.
Some of my family members have Sleep Apnea, I don't have symptoms, but is it likely that I might have it too?
Yes, there’s a familial link with sleep apnea, so it’s possible. It’s a good idea to get screened or monitored. Nowadays, technology can help—record your sleep or have someone observe if you stop breathing at night. If you have underlying conditions like heart or respiratory disease, it’s worth discussing the possibility with your doctor.
If someone loses weight, can that help or even cure Sleep Apnea?
Weight loss can significantly reduce the severity of sleep apnea, and in some cases, it can eliminate it. However, our research shows that it doesn’t always completely go away. It’s also important to note that sleep apnea isn’t only seen in people who are overweight—thin individuals can have it too, due to airway weaknesses.
What should someone do if they suspect they or someone they know has Sleep Apnea?
The best step is to talk to a doctor and express your concerns. They might ask you some basic questions or do a sleep questionnaire. You’ll likely need a referral for a home sleep study or an in-lab study if you have other underlying conditions. Better Sleep Mid-Ohio Valley has a network of several sleep specialists who can see you within a couple of weeks and guide you through the process, whether it’s an in-lab or home study, or addressing other sleep conditions like insomnia or restless leg syndrome first.
Does risk for Sleep Apnea increase with age?
It does. For middle-aged men, the prevalence is about 25% to 40%, but only around 15% actually experience symptoms that they notice. In women, before menopause, the prevalence rate is about 10%, but only around 2% are symptomatic. After age 50 or menopause, the rate between men and women becomes equal. Estrogen loss plays a role in this increased risk.
Why am I seeing a dentist for this/what are your qualifications?
Dentists examine your teeth and airway, identifying signs of breathing habits. Dr. Luke Bauserman is board certified in both dentistry and clinical sleep health. He has extensive training in dental sleep medicine and TMJ treatment.
How does a sleep study work?
Sleep studies can be done in a sleep lab, or at home. We have a referral network that includes sleep doctors located in Parkersburg, West Virginia, and Marietta, Ohio, as well as third parties who specialize in home sleep testing. If you haven’t had a sleep study, or need to get an updated one, give our office a call, and we’ll help find the right sleep testing solution for you.
Who is a suitable candidate for Better Sleep?
A good candidate is someone who has struggled with CPAP or faces sleep issues where a CPAP might not be the ideal solution (e.g., disturbance to partner, frequent travel, preference for stomach sleeping, etc.).
CPAP didn’t work for me, why consider this?
There are various reasons, including claustrophobia, discomfort with CPAP while sleeping, intolerance, sinusitis, PTSD affecting some veterans, social concerns, noise for partners, skin irritation, preference for stomach sleeping, and frequent travel.
What does my consultation/initial appointment look like?
During the consultation, we will discuss the diagnosis of Sleep Apnea, examine your teeth to ensure suitability for an oral appliance, and if needed, arrange a sleep test or review existing results.
How long is an oral appliance effective?
Oral appliances can last 5+ years, but we recommend returning for a check-up at least once a year.
Are there any risks or negative side effects?
Our approach involves non-intrusive appliances, minimizing risks or negative side effects.
Do I need a referral from my PCP?
A referral is not necessary for a consultation. However, in some cases, your insurance may require a prescription. If you don’t have one, we can assist you.
What's the timeline for treatment?
Once insurance is approved and all documentation is complete, we can fabricate an appliance within about 4 weeks. Following fabrication, we will schedule the next steps 2 weeks later.
What insurance providers do you accept?
Our West Virginia Dental Sleep practice is contracted with PEIA, Department of Veteran Affairs — VA for Veterans, Medicare, and we also verify all insurances for dental sleep medicine treatment. If you’re unsure if your insurance is accepted, give us a call!
Do you accept Medicare?
Currently, we do not accept Medicare, but we are actively working on making it available in the near future.
When do I pay?
Take the First Step to Better Sleep
If you’re ready to get the restful sleep you deserve, it’s time to speak to one of our sleep professionals. Our team will work with you to create a personalized treatment plan that fits your specific needs. If you’re still unsure, take our short sleep quiz that identifies the most common sleep-related issues to see which ones you’ve experienced.
