What is Sleep Apnea? – Topeka, KS

Sleep Apnea: The Basics

Sleep apnea occurs when a person experiences temporary lapses of breathing while they’re in a state of rest. These lapses typically only last for seconds, but they can occur dozens or even hundreds of times each hour, which fractures deep sleep. As a result, the person doesn’t achieve the regenerative rest they need to function at a high level the following day.

When your breath is cut off, a few different consequences happen in quick succession. The brain will essentially start to panic, which raises blood pressure. This heightened level may even linger after breathing returns to normal, which results in a higher risk of related diseases like strokes and heart attacks. Then, an emergency signal jolts the person to wake up in order to properly restore respiration. These interruptions are so brief that most people don’t even remember them in the morning – but the body does.

What Causes Sleep Apnea?

There are two major distinctions of sleep apnea: Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and Central Sleep Apnea (CSA).

OSA is by far the more common variation, and it’s directly caused by a partial or full blockage of the airway due to an overrelaxed throat and/or the collapse of soft tissue in the airway. There are several bodily factors that can contribute to the risk of developing OSA, such as having large tonsils, an overly thick neck, or even a chronic stuffy nose. Obesity is another common risk factor because fatty tissue around the throat tends to make the area narrower and more likely to close off during sleep.

Meanwhile, CSA is a pure neurological issue. Simply put, the brain doesn’t properly signal the patient’s body to breathe while they’re unconscious. CSA can occur because of several different health conditions, from strokes, kidney/heart failure, and even the regular use of opiates.

What are the Symptoms of Sleep Apnea?

While no two cases are exactly alike, patients who regularly experience the following symptoms may be suffering from sleep apnea:

• Persistent, chronic exhaustion during the daytime hours
• Overly loud snoring
• Noticeable mood swings and/or depressive episodes
• Regularly waking up gasping for air or feeling breathless
• Unexplained weight gain (or difficulty with losing weight)
• Hypertension
• Waking up in the mornings with a sore throat and/or headache
• Problems with memory and concentration
• Sexual dysfunction

Do You Have Jaw or Bite Problems? It May be Sleep Apnea

The temporomandibular joint (also known as the TMJ) facilities essential movements of the jaw, allowing patients to open and close their mouths, speak, eat, and even yawn. Unfortunately, circumstances like jaw injuries, misaligned bites, and even the onset of arthritis can lead to temporomandibular disorders, or TMD. What many patients don’t realize is that a significant number of TMD sufferers are also experiencing sleep apnea. When the airway collapses, the body is likely to push the lower jaw forward unconsciously in order to try to clear it again. This constant motion can cause a great deal of stress and tension in the TMJ night after night, which is why these two painful and exhausting disorders are likely to go hand-in-hand.

Thankfully, Dr. Michel has years of experience and specialty training in not only dental sleep medicine, but the non-surgical treatment of temporomandibular joint dysfunction as well. In fact, he’s been successfully alleviating TMJ disorder cases for over 30 years and counting! This unique intersection of expertise allows him to seamlessly integrate the two types of treatment so that patients can achieve lasting, pain-free relief.

How is Sleep Apnea Diagnosed?

First, you’ll need to visit a physician, who will ask about your symptoms and when they began. (If you have a partner or a roommate, ask them whether they’ve heard you snore loudly or make choking noises while asleep.) They can then help you arrange a sleep study, which can be done at a sleep center or in your own home. These tests will measure your brain waves, heartbeat, breathing and movement during the night. This will help us narrow down whether or not you’re suffering from sleep apnea or another kind of sleep disorder.

Learn More About How Sleep Apnea is Diagnosed

How Do You Treat Sleep Apnea?

Are you concerned that you may be a victim of untreated sleep apnea? Please contact us or your general physician as soon as possible. An easy way to get started is to complete the STOP-BANG Assessment, which allows our team to evaluate your overall risk with the help of a few cut-and-dry questions. If we determine that the taker of the Assessment likely suffers from sleep apnea, we can help them proceed to using an at-home sleep test that monitors their breathing patterns throughout the night. The results from this test should then lead to a proper diagnosis.

If a patient is officially diagnosed with sleep apnea, the next question is “what’s the best way to treat it?” CPAP therapy has been used for many years, which involves wearing a facial or nasal mask that’s connected to an air pump. However, many patients find it too uncomfortable to use on a regular basis. That’s where Dr. Michel comes in!

If you have mild to moderate OSA and/or have proven intolerant to CPAP use, our team can provide a custom oral appliance. This basically works like a small mouthguard that helps keep the airway safely open as you rest peacefully. Most patients find this therapy option much more convenient and pleasant! Visit this page to learn more.

Learn More About How to Treat Sleep Apnea

Snoring: A Dangerous Annoyance

After chronic fatigue, loud snoring is one of the most common indicators of sleep apnea. Far too many people simply write it off as an annoying habit their spouse or roommate has – but don’t ignore it! While snoring isn’t necessarily a surefire sign of sleep apnea, it does mean that they may not be sleeping very well. Plus, chronic snorers do have an elevated risk of developing sleep apnea in the future. Thankfully, custom oral appliance therapy can also help these patients, improving not only the quality of their own rest, but the rest of everyone who sleeps in close proximity too.

Understanding the Cost of Sleep Apnea Treatment

Our practice proudly offers oral appliance therapy to help you enjoy a good night’s rest once again. After your consultation, we’ll craft a personalized treatment plan that best fits your lifestyle, budget, and insurance coverage. At Sleep Solutions by Michel Dental, we’ll support you every step of the way, ensuring transparent and straightforward care. We accept medical insurance, Medicare, and offer low-interest financing to make it easier for you to access the life-changing care you need.

Does Dental Insurance Cover the Cost of Sleep Apnea Treatment?

Short answer: no, dental insurance does not typically cover sleep apnea treatment. This type of care is actually billed through medical insurance, and most plans do offer some form of full or partial coverage for both CPAP machines and oral appliances. At Sleep Solutions by Michel Dental, our knowledgeable team can help you navigate your personal benefits and maximize deserved reimbursements so that affording the ideal sleep apnea treatment is stress-free.

Factors That Affect the Cost of Sleep Apnea Treatment

Several factors can influence the cost of sleep apnea treatment in Topeka. During your consultation, we will guide you through your treatment options and address any questions you have about our services.

The primary factors affecting your out-of-pocket expenses are the type of therapy you choose, and the extent of coverage provided by your insurance. With the appropriate documentation (i.e., your sleep study results, clinical notes from your diagnosis, and your sleep doctor’s prescription) we can let you know in advance how much your medical insurance will cover. Our goal is to be fully transparent throughout the entire process, so you know exactly what to expect at every stage.  

Treat Your Sleep Apnea Now to Improve Your Health

Not sure whether it's worth diagnosing and treating your sleep apnea? Well, the answer is a resounding yes! Failing to address the disorder can negatively affect your finances and overall health, leading to serious conditions like stroke, heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and depression.

One study found that undiagnosed sleep apnea costs U.S. adults a collective $149.6 billion. Treating your sleep apnea before it leads to chronic health issues and a reduced quality of life can save you thousands in medical bills and offer invaluable benefits to your overall health.

Making Sleep Apnea Treatment More Affordable

Sleep Solutions by Michel Dental will gladly file medical insurance claims on your behalf to ensure you get the most out of your benefits. We also want to ensure high-quality sleep apnea treatment is easily accessible to patients all over Kansas, which is why we also accept Medicare.

If you don’t currently have insurance, we can help you sign up for third-party financing through CareCredit. With this option, you can split up the total cost of your care into smaller monthly payments that fit your budget. To explore your payment options, don’t hesitate to give us a call.

Start Working Towards Better Sleep!

Sleep apnea can have severe, lasting consequences for your health, your personality, and your quality of life – so why put up with it any longer than you have to? Effective treatment is readily available here in Topeka, KS. Contact Dr. Michel today!

Sleep Apnea FAQs