Sleep Apnea: The Complete Patient Guide
Learn the symptoms, health risks, diagnosis, and treatment options – including CPAP and custom oral appliance therapy.
SLEEP APNEA AFFECTS MILLIONS OF AMERICANS. LEARN THE SIGNS, UNDERSTAND YOUR RISKS, AND
EXPLORE TREATMENT TODAY
Sleep Apnea Is More Than Just Snoring
If you snore loudly, wake up feeling tired, or have been told that you stop breathing while sleeping, you may have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that can affect not only the quality of your sleep, but also your overall health and daytime well-being.
The good news is that sleep apnea can be effectively treated. Understanding what happens during sleep, recognizing the signs, and obtaining an accurate diagnosis are the first steps toward finding the treatment that’s right for you.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
UNDERSTANDING THE CAUSE OF OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA
Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that causes your breathing to repeatedly stop or become significantly reduced while you sleep. The most common type is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which occurs when the muscles in the back of the throat relax and partially, or completely, block the airway.
Your brain senses these breathing interruptions and briefly wakes you just long enough to reopen your airway. These awakenings are usually so short that you don’t remember, but it can occur dozens or even hundreds of times during a single night. As a result, you may spend the night in bed without ever reaching the deep, restorative sleep your body needs.
Although anyone can develop sleep apnea, certain risk factors make it much more likely.
Who Is At Risk?
ANYONE CAN DEVELOP SLEEP APNEA, BUT CERTAIN FACTORS INCREASE THE LIKELIHOOD
Anyone can develop obstructive sleep apnea. However, certain physical characteristics, lifestyle habits, medical history, and demographic factors can increase your likelihood of developing the condition.
Could You Be at Higher Risk?
Most people with obstructive sleep apnea have one or more of these risk factors.
Physical
Characteristics
- Excess body weight (BMI)
- Large neck circumference
- Large tongue
- Narrow airway
- Enlarged tonsils
Lifestyle
HABITS
- Smoking
- Alcohol before bedtime
- Sleep habits
- Sleep deprivation
Medical & Family
History
- High BP
- Diabetes
- Heart Disease
- Stroke
Demographic
Factors
- Age
- Men
- Women after menopause
Not everyone with sleep apnea fits the classic stereotype. Many people are surprised to learn they have several of these risk factors. Having one or more does not guarantee you have sleep apnea, but it does increase the likelihood. If you snore, wake up tired, or have been told you stop breathing during sleep, talk with your physician or schedule an evaluation.
Signs and Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
SLEEP APNEA OFTEN DEVELOPS GRADUALLY, MAKING IT EASY TO OVERLOOK
Sleep apnea often develops gradually. Many people live with symptoms for years before realizing they may have a sleep disorder. Recognizing both nighttime and daytime warning signs is the first step toward diagnosis and treatment.
Recognize the Signs of Sleep Apnea
WHILE YOU’RE SLEEPING
✓ Loud snoring
✓ Gasping or choking during sleep
✓ Witnessed pauses in breathing
✓ Frequent nighttime urination
✓ Dry mouth upon awakening
✓ Restless sleep
DURING THE DAY
✓ Excessive daytime sleepiness
✓ Morning headaches
✓ Difficulty concentrating
✓ Memory problems
✓ Irritability
✓ Depression or anxiety
Sleep apnea often causes different symptoms while you’re sleeping than during the day. Recognizing both can help you identify warning signs earlier. Many people with sleep apnea are unaware of their nighttime symptoms. A bed partner may notice loud snoring, pauses in breathing, or gasping for air before you do. If these signs sound familiar, talk with your physician or schedule an evaluation.
Could You Be at Risk for Sleep Apnea?
If you recognize some of these signs or symptoms, take our short educational assessment to learn more about common sleep apnea symptoms and risk factors.
Health Risks of Untreated Sleep Apnea
UNTREATED SLEEP APNEA AFFECTS FAR MORE THAN JUST YOUR SLEEP
How does untreated sleep apnea affect your body?
Untreated obstructive sleep apnea repeatedly lowers oxygen levels and interrupts restorative sleep throughout the night. Over months and years, this ongoing stress can contribute to serious health problems affecting the cardiovascular system, brain, metabolism, and overall quality of life. The conditions shown above are among the health risks that have been associated with untreated obstructive sleep apnea.
Why does sleep apnea happen?
Airway Collapse ➔ Lower Oxygen ➔ Brief Awakenings ➔ Repeated Nightly Cycles ➔ Long-Term Health Risks
The good news is that effective treatment can significantly reduce many of these risks while improving daytime energy, concentration, and overall quality of life. The first step is obtaining an accurate diagnosis.
How Sleep Apnea is Diagnosed
DIAGNOSIS BEGINS WITH A THOROUGH EVALUATION
The diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea begins with a thorough evaluation of your symptoms and medical history. A sleep physician will determine whether testing is appropriate.
HOW IS SLEEP APNEA TESTED?
Home Sleep Apnea Test
(HSAT)
Many patients qualify for a convenient home sleep apnea test that records breathing, oxygen levels, and other information while they sleep in their own bed.
In-Laboratory Sleep Study (Polysomnography)
Patients with more complex medical conditions or suspected sleep disorders beyond obstructive sleep apnea may benefit from an overnight study performed in an accredited sleep laboratory.
The results are interpreted by a qualified sleep physician, who determines whether sleep apnea is present and recommends appropriate treatment.
Sleep Apnea Treatment Options
TREATMENT SHOULD BE PERSONALIZED TO EACH PATIENT
Treatment for obstructive sleep apnea depends on the severity of the condition, your overall health, anatomy, and individual needs and preferences.
CPAP Therapy
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) uses gentle air pressure delivered through a mask to help keep the airway open during sleep.
CPAP is highly effective when it can be used comfortably and consistently.
Oral Appliance Therapy →
A custom oral appliance is worn during sleep and gently positions the lower jaw forward to help maintain an open airway.
Oral appliance therapy may be recommended for appropriate patients with obstructive sleep apnea, including some patients who cannot tolerate CPAP.
Surgical Options
For some patients, surgical treatment may address anatomical factors that contribute to airway obstruction.
Options vary depending on the patient’s anatomy and individual circumstances.
TREATMENT MAY INCLUDE MORE THAN ONE APPROACH
Combination Therapy
Some patients achieve the best results by combining CPAP therapy with an oral appliance. Combination therapy may improve comfort, reduce required CPAP pressures, and increase long-term treatment success.
Lifestyle & Supportive Measures
Depending on the individual patient, treatment may also include:
- Weight management
- Positional therapy
- Limiting alcohol before bedtime
- Smoking cessation
- Treatment of nasal obstruction
For patients who are appropriate candidates, oral appliance therapy offers a comfortable, noninvasive treatment option that is custom designed for nightly use.
Healthcare professionals can learn more about our collaborative approach to oral appliance therapy on our For Referring Physicians page.
Why Choose Oral Appliance Therapy
AN ALTERNATIVE FOR APPROPRIATE PATIENTS WHO STRUGGLE WITH CPAP
Many patients struggle with CPAP despite recognizing its benefits. For carefully selected patients, oral appliance therapy offers several advantages:
✓ Comfortable & Custom Fitted
✓ Portable for Travel
✓ Easy to Clean
✓ Quiet
✓ No Electricity Required
✓ Well Tolerated by Many Patients
Treatment should always be coordinated with your sleep physician to ensure that therapy is both effective and medically appropriate.
Why Choose a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine?
EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING MATTER IN ORAL APPLIANCE THERAPY
Oral appliance therapy is more than simply making a mouthpiece. Successful treatment requires careful evaluation, appropriate appliance selection, collaboration with your sleep physician, gradual adjustment of the appliance, and long-term follow-up to ensure your sleep apnea is effectively treated.
A Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine (ABDSM) has demonstrated advanced knowledge and clinical experience in dental sleep medicine through comprehensive examination, required continuing education, and on-going commitment to evidence-based patient care.
Monticello Sleep Dentistry
✓ Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine
✓ Physician-coordinated care with your sleep physician and healthcare team
✓ Personalized oral appliance therapy tailored to you individual needs
✓ Medicare provider for eligible oral appliance therapy
✓ Long-term follow-up care to monitor comfort, effectiveness, and treatment success
Dr. Numpol Dejtiranukul is a Diplomate of the American board of Dental Sleep Medicine and works closely with sleep physicians and other healthcare professionals to provide personalized treatment for obstructive sleep apnea using custom oral appliance therapy.
Dr. Dejtiranukul has served patients in the O’Fallon area for more than 26 years through his general dental practice, earning a strong reputation and excellent patient reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions
THE MOST COMMON QUESTIONS REGARDING SLEEP APNEA
Is snoring always sleep apnea?
No. While snoring is common among patients with obstructive sleep apnea, many people who snore do not have sleep apnea. A sleep study is needed to determine whether breathing interruptions are occurring during sleep.
Can you have sleep apnea without snoring?
Yes. Not everyone with obstructive sleep apnea snores noticeably. Other signs may include pauses in breathing during sleep, daytime sleepiness, morning headaches, difficulty concentrating, or waking frequently during the night.
Can sleep apnea be cured?
Treatment depends on the underlying cause. Some patients may experience improvement with weight loss, surgery, or treatment of contributing conditions, while many successfully manage sleep apnea long-term with CPAP, oral appliance therapy, other treatments.
Does sleep apnea go away with weight loss?
Weight loss may reduce the severity of obstructive sleep apnea in some people, but it does not guarantee that sleep apnea will resolve. Because several factors can contribute to airway obstruction, follow-up sleep testing may be needed to determine whether treatment is still necessary.
Is CPAP the only treatment for sleep apnea?
No. CPAP is an effective and commonly prescribed treatment, but other options may be appropriate depending on the individual patient. These may include oral appliance therapy, positional therapy, lifestyle changes, surgery, or a combination of treatments.
How does an oral appliance treat sleep apnea?
A custom oral appliance is worn during sleep and gently positions the lower jaw forward to help maintain an open airway. Oral appliance therapy may be appropriate for certain patients with obstructive sleep apnea, including some who cannot tolerate CPAP.
How do I know if an oral appliance is right for me?
The best way to know if oral appliance therapy is right for you is to schedule an evaluation. Your medical history, sleep study results, dental health, airway anatomy, and treatment preferences will all be considered when choosing the sleep apnea therapy that is best for you.
Are oral appliances covered by Medicare and other insurance?
Many patients who meet Medicare or other insurance requirements may qualify for coverage of oral appliance therapy. Coverage varies according to your diagnosis, treatment eligibility, insurance plan, and individual benefits.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
SCHEDULE A SLEEP APNEA CONSULTATION
If you have been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea – or suspect you may have it – the Monticello Sleep Dentistry team can work with your sleep physician to determine whether oral appliance therapy is an appropriate treatment option.
As a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine, Dr. Numpol Dejtiranukul provides personalized oral appliance therapy with careful appliance selection, adjustment, and long-term follow-up.
Monticello Sleep Dentistry | Weldon Spring, Missouri | Medicare Provider