Snoring & Sleep Apnea Treatment San Antonio TX

In a sleep study, we count how many times there’s a partial blockage (hypopnea) or a complete blockage (apnea) in breathing and divide it by how long you slept. This gives us the AHI, which tells us how many times an hour these events happen.

For adults, having 0-4 events an hour is normal. Mild OSA means you have 5-14 events an hour. Moderate OSA is 15-29 events an hour, and severe OSA means 30 or more events an hour.

Deep sleep includes two main parts: slow-wave sleep and REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. Slow-wave sleep is a kind of deep sleep without dreams where your brain processes learning and memory. During REM sleep, your body doesn’t move much except for your breathing and eyes. This is usually when you have the most dreams.

Yes, in someone with untreated sleep apnea, their airway can partly or fully block during sleep, leading to a drop in oxygen or a rise in carbon dioxide. This can cause a microarousal, a brief moment of lighter sleep that doesn’t always wake you up fully, spotted by looking at brain waves during a sleep study.

These microarousals can move you from deep to lighter sleep, preventing you from getting enough deep sleep throughout the night. Without treatment, this can lead to feeling like you’re always partially sleep-deprived.

1 in 5 adults have mild OSA
1 in 15 have moderate to severe OSA
9% of middle-aged women and 25% of middle-aged men suffer from OSA

Snoring is not merely a loud and bothersome noise; it can serve as an important indicator of a Sleep Breathing Disorder (SBD) that should not be taken lightly. It is estimated that around 42 million Americans are affected by SBDs.

One of the most prevalent types of SBD is Obstructive Sleep Apnea, a medical condition in which the tongue and soft tissues obstruct the airway, preventing proper airflow into the lungs. Recognizing the potential seriousness of SBDs is crucial for prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

• Mild OSA is found in 70% of heart attack patients.
• Sleep Apnea affects 86% of obese individuals with type 2 Diabetes.
• Hypertension is present in 43% of patients with mild OSA.
• Sleep Apnea is experienced by 48% of individuals with type 2 Diabetes.
• Drowsy driving causes around 100,000 car accidents annually.
• Individuals with Sleep Apnea are at a 4 times higher risk of stroke.
• Untreated Sleep Apnea can lead to memory problems, weight gain, impotence, and headaches.
• Over 20 years, untreated OSA can reduce survivability by 30% or more.
• Drowsy driving results in 100,000 car accidents, 40,000 injuries, and 1,550 deaths yearly.
• Approximately 38,000 deaths each year are associated with Sleep Apnea-related cardiovascular problems, including high blood pressure, hypertension, and stroke.

A sleep doctor would say that sleep apnea usually can’t be fully cured, especially for severe cases. It’s something people manage over time, not get rid of completely.

The Nightlase treatment is a newer way to help with sleep apnea. It’s not like the CPAP machine that you use every night. Instead, Nightlase works on changing the shape of your mouth and airway slowly. This can make your sleep apnea better or even go away for some people.

It’s a hopeful option for those looking for something other than nightly machines or surgery, offering a chance at long-lasting improvement.

Many insurance plans cover sleep apnea treatment, including CPAP and oral appliances, but coverage can vary. Check with your provider.

Our Dentist is not just your regular dentists—he is highly qualified and ready to take on the challenge of multidisciplinary care for patients with sleep-related breathing disorders. They hold a current dental licenses, but that’s not all! They have also received special training in Airway and Dental Sleep Medicine.

So rest assured, you’re in great hands with our experienced team of dental sleep medicine experts. Let’s get started on your journey to better sleep and improved breathing!