Frequently Asked Sleep Medicine Questions – Wesley Chapel, FL

What’s the difference between snoring and sleep apnea?

Snoring is caused by vibration in the throat, nose, or sinuses as air is forced in and out during sleep. Snoring is caused by a number of factors including illness, injury to the nasal passage, and sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is the cessation of breathing for ten or more seconds at a time. Not all patients who snore have sleep apnea and vice versa. However, a common cause of snoring is the blocking of the airway common with patients who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea.

Are there different kinds of sleep apnea?

There are two types of sleep apnea. Central sleep apnea (CSA) which occurs when the brain does not signal the body to inhale and exhale, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) which is more common and occurs when the airway is physically blocked by the tongue, tonsils, or excess neck tissue. Some patients also suffer from a combination of the two forms of sleep apnea.

How do I get a sleep apnea diagnosis?

The first step is to complete our Stop Bang Assessment. If this simple questionnaire or your frequent symptoms of sleep apnea indicate that you may be at risk, we’ll schedule a pre-screening. This is a basic examination and consultation session that helps Dr. Nelson determine whether sleep testing is advisable. If patients show significant signs of sleep apnea, they are referred for sleep testing to receive diagnosis. We’re happy to advocate for patients, coordinate care, and provide guidance in maximizing insurance. Once your diagnosis is complete, you’ll return to our dental sleep medicine office, and we’ll help you determine whether an oral appliance or combined CPAP and oral appliance therapy is the right solution for you.

What if I’ve already been diagnosed with sleep apnea?

If you’ve already received a diagnosis, schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Nelson. During your consultation, we’ll be happy to help you determine whether an oral appliance is a good solution for you.

Is an oral appliance as effective as CPAP?

In many cases oral appliance therapy can be as or more effective than CPAP treatment. One main reason oral appliance therapy may be superior is that patients are more likely to consistently use their oral appliance. Many patients find themselves unable to tolerate CPAP systems, and become noncompliant. In order to ensure that patients’ oral appliance offers effective treatment for sleep apnea, Dr. Nelson will provide a portable sleep analysis unit patients can use at home with their oral appliance. This test gauges the effectiveness of the oral appliances, tracks the number and duration of apnea and hypopnea (shallow breathing) incidents, and allows our team to make adjustments to ensure adequate care.

Will my insurance cover sleep apnea therapy?

In most cases, medical insurance, Tricare & Medicare cover all or part of the cost of oral appliance therapy. At Nelson Dental Sleep medicine, we’re happy to work with patients to maximize their medical insurance coverage.