At the Denver Sleep Apnea Center, we understand not everyone is suited for the traditional, typical approach to solving obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which often involves using cumbersome CPAP machines. Our philosophy is therefore built on our patients’ lifestyles and sleeping habits, helping them find a solution that fits their budget and habits for a better night’s sleep.
If you’ve tried CPAP but haven’t found the relief from sleep apnea that you were hoping for, there may be another way to sleep soundly.
Do I Have Sleep Apnea?
If you don’t already have a sleep apnea diagnosis from a sleep expert, there are a few ways to know whether you’re at risk of developing it or already suffer from it. First, if you sleep with a partner, you can ask them if they are disturbed by coughing, loud snoring, or restless sleep on a regular basis. Next, you can record yourself as you sleep – there are numerous consumer apps that will automatically start recording upon picking up noise like snoring for convenient review the next morning.
You should also consider how you feel most days. Do you struggle with a sore throat, dry mouth, or headaches upon waking? Do you feel tired or irritated during the day, or find it hard to focus? These might all be symptoms your body isn’t getting the rest it needs to fully recharge each night.
Finally, for the most accurate at-home indicator of sleep apnea, we provide the ResMed ApneaLink Air take-home test that tracks your heart rate, oxygen levels, and noise levels for our sleep doctor’s expert review and recommendation for next steps.
Treatments for Sleep Apnea in Aurora
CPAP machines are perhaps the most commonly prescribed treatment for obstructive sleep apnea, but they don’t work for everyone. Some people get annoyed with the constant upkeep, others find the masks uncomfortable, and the reasons go on. This is why we provide convenient oral devices that adjust the way your mouth rests shut as you are asleep, keeping your airways open and preventing obstructions from ruining your sleep.
Mandibular Repositioning Device (MAD)
The MAD is our most common oral appliance therapy for sleep apnea in Colorado. This is a simple retainer-like device that gently shifts your jaw forward a certain degree to keep your throat open and decrease the likelihood of tissue obstruction while asleep.
Tongue Retaining Devices
For some sufferers of obstructive sleep apnea, the tongue can reduce the opening of your airways, meaning as long as it stays away from the back of your throat, you shouldn’t have any trouble breathing as your muscles relax. These devices are custom made and can be fitted to work around mouthguards, retainers, or even dentures and do not affect the placement of the jaw.
About Aurora, CO
The municipality of Aurora is the third-largest district in Colorado located just a few miles south of Denver and home to nearly 400,000 people. It grew quickly in the 1970s and 1980s, becoming the home to military installations (thanks to its high altitude and gateway point across the Rocky Mountains, in part), hospitals and medical centers, and many public school districts. Aurora boasts over 100 parks and sits on 100,000 acres of beautiful Colorado land.