Obstructive Sleep Apnea Northern Arizona

The Most Common Form of Sleep Apnea

There’s more than one type of sleep apnea, but by far the most common type is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Having this disorder means that your airway is being physically blocked while you slumber, resulting in pauses in your breathing throughout the night. Our team at Sleep Better Southwest is prepared to help patients across Northern Arizona overcome obstructive sleep apnea, so if you believe you have this disorder, contact us right away to schedule a consultation with Dr. Held.

Why Choose Sleep Better Southwest for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatment?

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Illustration of person laying down with their airway blocked by throat tissues

What Causes Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

If the muscles in the back of your throat become too relaxed, they could end up narrowing or even closing, thus disrupting the flow of air and leading to episodes of obstructive sleep apnea. The disorder may also occur if your tongue falls backward toward the throat. It should be noted that obstructive sleep apnea tends to be more common in individuals who are overweight as well as those with airways that are naturally narrow.

Sleeping person laying on their back with illustration of their blocked airway

Possible Complications of OSA

Since obstructive sleep apnea can prevent you from getting quality sleep, it often results in feeling fatigued during the day. And if it goes untreated for too long, it could start to put a strain on your cardiovascular system; not only can it lead to high blood pressure, but it may increase your chances of suffering from heart disease or a stroke. Other consequences of obstructive sleep apnea include headaches, memory issues, and mood swings.

Woman smiling while sleeping on her side

Types of Treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

There’s more than one way to address your obstructive sleep apnea symptoms, and our team will be more than happy to review your options with you so that you can make the choice that’s right for your overall health.

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Lifestyle Changes

Making one or two changes to your lifestyle could have more of an impact on your obstructive sleep apnea than you might think. If your sleep disorder is linked to obesity, losing weight can help. Also, you may want to think about changing your sleep position; you’re likely to have an easier time breathing if you sleep on your side instead of on your back.

CPAP

A CPAP machine helps you maintain open airways while you are asleep via high pressurized air. CPAP machines can be an effective option; however, most individuals are unable to tolerate CPAP, which is why oral appliance therapy is often used as a first line treatment.

Couple smiling and cuddling while sleeping

Oral Appliance Treatment

A custom-fit oral appliance is an effective treatment option for sleep breathing disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea and snoring. It can also help address the disorders’ associated challenges such as persistent fatigue and teeth grinding, among others.

Fitting much like a sports mouthguard, oral appliances provide a more comfortable treatment versus CPAP or surgery. They work by repositioning the jaw to open the central airway and allow an unobstructed flow of oxygen. We offer a wide range of appliance options, which are then custom fit to the wearer to maximize the efficacy of the device and the relief that patients experience.

Learn More About Oral Appliance Treatment

C P A P mask laying on a flat white surface

Combined Therapy

Oral appliances and CPAP machines can be used separately to treat obstructive sleep apnea, but there are also benefits to using both of them at once. With the oral appliance helping to keep the airway open, the CPAP machine can be turned to a lower setting, which can make it significantly more comfortable to use.

Surgery

Some cases of sleep apnea are more severe than others. In cases where alternative forms of treatment don’t seem to be effective, surgery may be the only viable way to address the disorder. We can help you figure out what steps need to be taken to deal with your obstructive sleep apnea based on your circumstances.

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What is Sleep Apnea? Sleep Testing Oral Appliance Treatment Myofunctional Therapy Exercises TMJ Treatment View Our Services