Sleep apnea can have a nearly debilitating effect on those who suffer from it. Obstructive sleep apnea, one of the most common kinds of sleep disorders, is caused by a lack of consistent air flow during sleep that can cause disruptive snoring, restlessness, fatigue, irritability, and insomnia, to name a few symptoms people may or may not know they’re suffering from.
Whether you’ve tried other solutions and not been satisfied with the results, or suspect you might be suffering from sleep apnea, there’s no time to waste finding a convenient, effective treatment to help you get your normal sleep schedule back.
Do I Have Sleep Apnea?
Receiving a sleep apnea diagnosis is not something you can do on your own. Our sleep doctor, Dr. Steven Wilk, has specialized in alternatives to traditional CPAP prescriptions to help people sleep better in Centennial. If you’re feeling tired during the day but aren’t sure why, or if you sleep with a partner who is having trouble getting to sleep due to your snoring or other symptoms, it might be time to contact us at the Denver Sleep Apnea Center to find out whether you have a legitimate case of sleep apnea.
Additional risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea beyond experiencing these common symptoms include:
- Being male
- Being older
- Having a history of heart disease or stroke
- Smoking
Sleep Apnea Treatments in Centennial
As mentioned, not everyone takes to CPAP treatments for their specific sleep apnea symptoms. Some find the machine too loud or uncomfortable, others find the maintenance annoying, and there are many other reasons why it may not work for any given person. That’s why Dr. Wilk provides smaller, more convenient devices as an alternative to CPAP for sleep apnea. They are similar to retainers and provide different relief depending on your unique sleep apnea cause.
Mandibular Repositioning Device (MAD)
The most commonly prescribed oral device for sleep apnea is the MAD. This appliance moves your jaw forward to a pre-determined degree to keep the airway at the back of your throat open during sleep. Otherwise, the relaxed muscles in both your neck and jaw can close it partially or nearly all the way, causing your body to stop breathing or snore very loudly.
Tongue Retaining Devices
A similar retainer-style oral appliance focuses only on the tongue, rather than moving the whole jaw forward. While this isn’t the right treatment for everyone, it can be customized to work around mouth guards, dentures, or other nightly oral devices.
About Centennial, CO
Home to just over 100,000 people, the municipality of Centennial is tethered to the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood Metropolitan area and was formed in 2001 from previously unincorporated Arapahoe County. It contains the second-largest IKEA store in the US but not many other major attractions. The town was incorporated to prevent taxes from flowing to larger cities and municipalities nearby, and therefore mostly features natural beauty and a suburban lifestyle to those who live and visit.