Sleep Apnea Appliances in New York
Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that occurs when a person’s breathing is interrupted during sleep. People with untreated sleep apnea stop breathing repeatedly during their sleep, sometimes hundreds of times. This means the brain — and the rest of the body — may not get enough oxygen.
There are two types of sleep apnea:
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Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA): The more common of the two forms of apnea, it is caused by a blockage of the airway, usually when the soft tissue in the back of the throat collapses during sleep.
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Central sleep apnea: Unlike OSA, the airway is not blocked, but the brain fails to signal the muscles to breathe, due to instability in the respiratory control center.
How can Dr. Roksar help with my sleep apnea or snoring?
Dr. Roksar can evaluate you for sleep apnea and/or snoring. Usually severe sleep apnea is treated with a CPAP machine. If a patient cannot tolerate a CPAP machine, Dr. Roksar can fabricate a custom sleeping nightguard to help reduce the apena or decrease snoring.
What is a CPAP machine?
A CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine is a device that helps people with sleep apnea breathe more easily during the night. It works by delivering a continuous stream of pressurized air through a mask, which keeps the airways from collapsing. The primary downside is that some people find it uncomfortable and difficult to use consistently. Common complaints include a feeling of claustrophobia from the mask, skin irritation, a dry nose or mouth, and difficulty breathing against the pressurized air. In addition, the sound of the machine can be bothersome to a bed partner.
Am I at Risk for Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea can affect anyone at any age, even children. Risk factors for sleep apnea include:
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Being overweight
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Being over age 40
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Having a large neck size (17 inches or greater in men and 16 inches or greater in women)
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Having a family history of sleep apnea
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Gastroesophageal reflux, or GERD
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Nasal obstruction due to a deviated septum, allergies, or sinus problems
What Are the Effects of Sleep Apnea?
If left untreated, sleep apnea can result in a growing number of health problems, including:
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Heart failure, irregular heart beats, and heart attacks
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Worsening of ADHD
In addition, untreated sleep apnea may be responsible for poor performance in everyday activities, such as at work and school, motor vehicle crashes, and academic underachievement in children and adolescents.
Dr. Roksar offers specialized nightguard that might help with sleep apnea, some exmplaes are:
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ProSomnus
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EMA®
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dreamTAP™
