People with sleep apnea may experience dyspnea often described as repeated bouts of breathlessness. More often than not, patients are unaware of underlying dyspnea that can occur several times a night. The result is feeling tired, exhausted, and unproductive in the morning because sleep apnea and dyspnea often disrupt your natural sleep cycle. However, all hope is not lost as various treatment options can reduce the impact of this condition on a patient's life. In addition to medication and upper airway surgery, sleep apnea oral appliance therapy effectively reduces the severity of obstruction in a patient's airways. Different devices may be recommended depending on a patient's condition and severity. The following part explains three fundamental benefits of sleep apnea oral appliances:

These Devices Are Easy to Use

Sleep apnea can negatively affect your sleeping patterns and make it an uncomfortable experience. Fortunately, the challenges can be solved using sleep apnea oral appliances, whose ease of use makes them convenient. Some devices are small enough to fit into your traveling bag. Others are manufactured as one-piece devices and do not require additional parts. Such features make them convenient to use and carry around. For instance, a tongue retaining device is lightweight and portable, requiring no special knowledge to use. You fit it around your mouth, and it will keep your air passages open all night long. Thus, patients may benefit from the convenience of sleep apnea oral appliances and enjoy a good night's sleep.

These Appliances Reduce or Eliminate Snoring

Snoring can be annoying, especially if you share a room with others. While you may sleep soundly, your neighbor may not, which can be a significant inconvenience to them. Fortunately, most sleep apnea oral appliances are designed to eliminate snoring altogether. Oral devices like mandibular repositioning appliances have a chin strip to keep your mouth closed, reducing disturbance and sound from snoring. Other epigenetic appliances can retain the jaw, forcing you to breathe through your nose. It would be wise to talk with a sleep specialist to understand your available treatment options.     

Helps You Avoid Surgical Interventions

There are various surgical procedures to remove the soft palate and pharynx, which causes airway obstruction in many patients. Doctors also perform other procedures to remove bones, cartilages, and tissues in the nose to make the condition tolerable. These surgeries are invasive and can take a prolonged time to heal fully. On the other hand, sleep apnea oral appliances require no physical pain or changes to work. They are ready to use and do not require additional medical interventions. Thus, patients may use the devices as an alternative to surgical interventions.

For more information on sleep apnea oral appliance therapy, contact a professional near you.

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