FAQs
Frequently Asked Sleep Apnea Questions – Ballston Spa, NY
Grow Your Sleep Apnea Knowledge
We are eager to serve you and help you find relief from sleep apnea. Before you schedule your consultation with us, however, you might want to learn more about your condition and what you can expect with treatment. That is why we have compiled the following list of frequently asked questions, along with succinct answers. If you don’t see the information you were looking for, contact us so we can personally assist you.
What Is the Difference Between Snoring and Sleep Apnea?
Snoring occurs when air passing through the throat causes the tissues to vibrate, while sleep apnea refers to a complete blockage of the airway. Snoring is often, but not always, an indicator of sleep apnea. In either case, both things can lead to a dramatically decreased amount of quality sleep, which can contribute to a wide variety of serious health problems. To treat both of these issues, oral appliance therapy is often the simplest and best solution.
What Causes Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea can be caused by a variety of reasons ranging from genetics to weight, but it tends to fall into two main categories. Central sleep apnea (CSA) occurs when the brain simply stops sending the body the signal to breathe during the night. The more common type, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurs when the tissues in the throat or tongue collapse into the airway and cause a complete blockage.
How Can I Find Out if I Have Sleep Apnea?
The first step is to complete our STOP-BANG assessment, which is a short questionnaire that will give us vital information about the likelihood of you having sleep apnea. It is a way for us to pre-screen patients, and after to complete it, we will contact you within 24 hours. If we believe you may have the disorder, we will invite you to come in for a free consultation. From there, we may advise you to have a sleep test performed by a local physician. Using their findings and our knowledge, we’ll be able to come up with a proper diagnosis. With this information, we can start getting you the treatment you need, whether that be oral appliance therapy or combined therapy.
I’ve Already Been Diagnosed with Sleep Apnea. What Should I Do?
You should contact us today for a free consultation so we can go over your diagnosis to determine the best course of treatment. We are certified to provide both oral appliance therapy and combined therapy, and we’ll work closely with your sleep physician to help you finally get the rest that you need.
Is An Oral Appliance as Effective as a CPAP Machine?
Oral appliance therapy can be just as effective at treating obstructive sleep apnea as a CPAP machine. In fact, oral appliance therapy can actually be MORE effective than just a CPAP. This is because many patients are CPAP intolerant or don’t use their machine consistently because it is uncomfortable. Many patients find it much easier to wear an oral appliance every night, so the rate of compliance is much higher. Once you receive an oral appliance from Integrative Sleep Center, we’ll send you home with a portable sleep analysis unit to make sure it is actually helping you sleep better. Depending on what it finds, you can either keep enjoying your restful sleep or we can make adjustments as necessary.
Will My Insurance Cover Sleep Apnea Therapy?
Sleep apnea treatments, such as oral appliance therapy, are often included in the coverage offered by medical insurance, dental insurance, and Medicare. At Integrative Sleep Center, we will always work with your insurance to make sure you get the most out of your benefits. If it isn’t included in your plan (which is rare), we can also help you get flexible financing.
