Sleep Apnea and CPAP Intolerance: What You Need to Know

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. 

What Causes Obstructive Sleep Apnea? Answers from the Snoring & Sleep Apnea Center in Seattle, WA

Obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, is a potentially debilitating condition that affects millions of Americans nightly. Individuals with OSA experience periodic lapses in breathing as they sleep and, because they are unconscious during these instances, they generally are unaware of the problem. Learning more about the contributing factors attributed to obstructive sleep apnea can help you discover the treatment plan that best suits your unique needs. At Snoring & Sleep Apnea Center in Seattle, WA, Dr. Robert. L. Horchover helps patients with OSA understand their condition and overcome its complications.

Why Do I Have Sleep Apnea?

This is a common question among OSA sufferers. Why me? Unfortunately, defining the precise cause of sleep apnea isn’t all that simple. Only a qualified specialist can provide you with detailed answers regarding your individual case. All the same, there are a number of risk factors associated with obstructive sleep apnea, including the following:

·         Being overweight

·         Being male

·         Having a collar size of 17 inches or larger in men and 16 inches or larger in women

·         Suffering from GERD (gastroesophageal reflux)

·         Being over the age of 40

·         Family history of sleep disorders

·         Having large adenoids, tonsils, or tongue

·         Having an undersized jaw bone

·         Smoking or alcohol abuse

If one or more of these apply to you, you may be at an increased risk for developing obstructive sleep apnea. Specialized oral appliances and other methods of sleep apnea therapy may help manage your condition and restore your ability to live a healthy, happy life.

If you or someone in your family suffers from sleep apnea, contact our office in Seattle, WA today to schedule your consultation with Dr. Horchover and his team. We specialize in helping patients just like you overcome this common condition, substantially reducing the risk of associated complications like high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack, and obesity. Our practice also serves families from nearby neighborhoods in Tacoma, Everett, Redmond, Alaska and more. Allow our experience and expertise in the treatment of sleep apnea to benefit you today.