Sleep apnea is a serious condition that can potentially lead
to a variety of complications, including cardiovascular issues, stroke, and
obesity. The most common method of treating sleep apnea involves the use of a
CPAP machine, but this doesn’t often prove the ideal solution for every
patient. At Snoring & Sleep Apnea Center
in Seattle, WA, Dr. Robert L. Horchover helps
his patients discover which treatment options best fit their individual needs,
providing relief from sleep apnea even in cases of CPAP intolerance.
What is CPAP
Intolerance?
Before it is possible to fully understand CPAP intolerance and why it occurs, it
is necessary to gain a basic grasp of CPAP treatment itself. When a patient
suffers from obstructive sleep apnea, the airway becomes blocked by the soft
tissues of the mouth and throat while the patient is sleeping. These lapses in
breathing may occur hundreds of times each night, drastically reducing the
amount of oxygen the patient’s brain and body receive during sleep. A CPAP machine
(continuous positive airway pressure) provides a consistent source of air to
assist in the act of breathing while the person affected is unconscious,
thereby preventing instances of apnea.
For many patients, however, using a CPAP machine at night causes
more problems than it solves. It may even make some symptoms of sleep apnea
worse, resulting in what we know as CPAP
intolerance. Signs of CPAP
intolerance include the following:
·
Daytime fatigue and a general feeling of sleepiness
·
Persistent headaches
·
Unexplained nasal congestion
·
Irritation of the sinuses, as well as the skin
or eyes
·
Distension of the abdomen
Fortunately, CPAP
treatment is only one option
available to patients affected by sleep apnea. Dr. Horchover and his caring, experienced team can offer a variety
of oral appliances that help alleviate the symptoms of this condition, working
with you to discover which works best for you.
Get the Relief You
Deserve
If you’ve been using CPAP
to treat your sleep apnea to no avail, the team at Snoring & Sleep Apnea Center wants to help. Contact our office in Seattle, WA today to find out more
about nighttime oral appliances and their role in managing sleep apnea without CPAP therapy. We look forward to
becoming your partners in sleep apnea treatment. Our office also serves
patients from Redmond, Tacoma, Everett,
Alaska, and beyond.
