Are there sleep apnea treatments other than CPAP?
Yes, while CPAP therapy is by far the most popular and commonly prescribed sleep apnea treatment, it is not the only option. Dr. Rodgers has helped hundreds of patients get better rest, restore their health, and stop using this noisy machine with custom-made oral appliances worn to bed.
Oral appliance therapy is the most comfortable and accessible CPAP alternative, as treatments like corrective surgery or a surgical implant cost several times more and can require a lengthy recovery time afterward (whereas an oral appliance starts working the very first night).
What’s the worst that can happen with sleep apnea?
Years of chronic sleep deprivation can severely affect someone’s mental and physical health. Issues like depression, anxiety, persistent brain fog, and trouble with emotional regulation are extremely common, as are physical ailments like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s. In short, it can severely affect someone’s quality of life as well as strain relationships because it’s difficult to be a good family member, partner, or parent when you’re exhausted all the time.
What is the life expectancy of someone with sleep apnea?
According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, untreated sleep apnea leads to a 17% increase in all-cause mortality, meaning it significantly raises the likelihood that someone will die prematurely. Often, this is due to heart problems (over 50,000 cardiovascular-related deaths are connected to sleep apnea each year) or motor vehicle accidents (studies show that driving while drowsy is actually more dangerous than being under the influence).
What is the most successful treatment for sleep apnea?
While countless sleep apnea patients are prescribed to use a CPAP machine every year in the U.S., studies show that over 50% of them will eventually stop because the machine is so noisy and uncomfortable. In short, the success of a sleep apnea treatment comes down to a patient’s willingness to consistently use it.
This is where oral appliance therapy shines. Because each mouthpiece is fully personalized, it is extremely comfortable and suited to the specific patient, making it easy to wear, easy to use, and effective clinically. Research shows that it has a drastically higher compliance rate compared to CPAP therapy, meaning for many patients, it’s truly the best option.