Frequently Asked Sleep Disorder Questions – Plano, TX

What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?

The most common symptoms associated with sleep apnea include everything from chronic fatigue and moodiness to the inability to concentrate, loss of libido, frequent headaches, loud snoring, and ceased breathing for 10 or more seconds at night.

How is sleep apnea diagnosed?

Before recommending a sleep study, which is the ultimate determination of whether you have sleep apnea, we will go over your family health history and ask about any symptoms you are currently experiencing. We’ll also inquire about any medications you’re currently taking. From there, we will take digital images of your oral and facial structures and recommend an in-house or at-home sleep test.

Can it be dangerous to avoid sleep apnea treatment?

If you suspect you might have sleep apnea, there is no question that you should schedule a consultation with our team at Star Sleep & Wellness in Plano. Choosing to leave sleep apnea untreated can result in worsening symptoms and declining overall health. Whether it is diabetes, stroke, heart attack, depression, negative cognitive decline, or high blood pressure, the consequences of sleep apnea can be severe if not treated promptly.

How common is sleep apnea?

In the United States, statistics tell us that more than 22 million people are struggling with sleep apnea. However, around 80% of those cases are either misdiagnosed or underdiagnosed. This is a troublesome reality, as people are suffering to get the sleep they need and are continually putting their overall health at risk.

Are there certain risks associated with sleep apnea?

Yes, and it is important that you know the risks. While you may be unable to avoid a family predisposition of snoring or enlarged tonsils/adenoids, you can take steps to minimize the risk of obesity/being overweight, drinking alcohol excessively, or using tobacco products.

Is snoring a normal occurrence?

You should not be too alarmed if you snore. Common among adults, it can be a temporary (situational) issue or chronic, and if it is the latter, you’ll need to seek professional help. Just because you snore though doesn’t mean it is something more serious, but it also doesn’t mean you should ignore it. If you find that your snoring is keeping you from getting the sleep you need, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team for expert care.

Is it possible to stop snoring?

The reduction of symptoms is the ultimate goal when it comes to treating your snoring. Whether it is through weight loss, exercising, medications, or a customized oral appliance, our team will provide recommendations that will minimize the problem and ultimately, lead to more restful sleep.

Are snoring and other sleep conditions connected?

Possibly. The only way to know for sure is to undergo a consultation with our team at Star Sleep & Wellness in Plano. We will determine if your snoring is also an indicator of sleep apnea or if you are simply dealing with sinus congestion. If it is discovered that you stop breathing throughout the night, there is a good chance that you’ll need to seek further treatment.

If left untreated, what kind of risks come with snoring?

Should you choose to forgo treatment for your snoring, it can pose a potentially serious problem. Not only will those around you suffer from a lack of sleep, but if tied to sleep apnea, it can cause your heart to work harder, resulting in heart attack, high blood pressure, or stroke, and cause pulmonary hypertension because of low blood oxygen levels.

What kind of benefits can I expect with oral appliance therapy?

By choosing to wear a customized oral appliance to treat your sleep apnea, you’ll find there are many unique benefits, some of which include:

• Greater comfort because of its customization
• A portable solution that makes traveling with your oral appliance easy
• A solution that doesn’t require bulky tubes or machines
• More restful sleep because no noise comes with oral appliances, unlike a CPAP device

Should I be aware of any side effects associated with oral appliance therapy?

It is highly unlikely that you will face any ill side effects while undergoing oral appliance therapy; however, there is a small chance that some tooth or jaw discomfort, dry mouth, or excessive saliva might occur. A slight change in your bite is also possible, but at-home exercises can be completed to keep this from happening.

Our team at Star Sleep & Wellness in Plano works hard to ensure that all oral appliances are comfortable and fit your mouth correctly; however, should you experience any issues, we can easily treat the problem.

Will oral appliance therapy be covered by insurance?

There is a good chance that your medical insurance will cover your oral appliance. It does require, however, thorough completion of paperwork to be submitted for pre-authorization. Once approved, our team will work to maximize your benefits so that you save the most money while undergoing treatment. Oral appliances are considered medical devices by insurance companies and are helpful alternatives if you cannot complete treatment with a CPAP device.