Sleep Apnea Diagnosis and Treatment

At The Mugford Center

Diagnosing sleep apnea is typically done through a sleep study, which is performed in a sleep clinic. During your sleep study, which is called a polysomnogram, you are attached to machines that monitor and record different information while you sleep. Your heart rate, breathing, brain activities, blood oxygen levels, and the movements of your arms and legs are all monitored. After your sleep study is complete, the next day, the recorded information is read by a sleep specialist, who can interpret the results and diagnose sleep apnea or other sleep-related issues and prescribe you with appropriate treatment.

Sleep Apnea Treatment

There are a number of different treatments that may be recommended for sleep apnea.

Specialist

Talk to a doctor trained in sleep apnea. Come visit our doctors today to start the process.
Oxygen Aid

Use supplemental oxygen while sleeping. This will help treat the symptoms, but it may not address any underlying issues.
C-PAP Machine

A C-PAP (Continuous Positive Airflow Pressure) machine is a machine that delivers a constant flow of air through a small mask that is worn over your nose. This helps to keep your airway open while you sleep.
Oral Appliance

This treatment involves the use of a custom fit guard similar to a mouthguard that is worn while you sleep. These oral appliances, made by Dr. Mugford’s office, help your airway to stay open by keeping your lower jaw forward and preventing soft tissues from falling into your airway.
Oral Surgery

In some cases, surgery may be required. There are a few different types of procedures that may be performed, including removing excess oral tissue or moving your lower jaw forward.

Sleep Studies at a Clinic

Accurate diagnosis is necessary to enable effective treatment for sleep disorders. At The Mugford Center, our doctors may feel that a sleep study is a valuable diagnostic tool. The sleep study provides valuable insight into the causes of a person’s symptoms including which, if any, sleep disorder is present. Sleep studies are also used in people diagnosed with sleep disorders to monitor their response to treatment. The Doctors would request a polysomnography, where you would be assessed overnight with painless sensors that record information. Our team would contact you after the sleep study to discuss the findings and whether your results indicate that you have a sleep disorder.

Diagnose Sleep Apnea at Home

It can be possible in some situations to diagnose sleep apnea at home. We evaluate your symptoms, which can be done with the help of your partner. We can also provide you with a simplified version of a sleep study that can be done in the comfort of your own home. The technology used measures your information while you sleep, such as your breathing, airflow, heart rate, and blood oxygen levels. Home sleep studies cannot always detect sleep apnea. Depending on your symptoms, you may still be recommended for a sleep study in a clinic.

Treating Sleep Apnea with a Home Remedy

Depending on your situation, and the severity of your sleep apnea, it may be possible to treat sleep apnea with a home remedy. For some, losing weight is all that is needed to eliminate sleep apnea. Exercise, particularly yoga, can help to improve blood oxygen levels. For congestion-related sleep apnea, a humidifier in your bedroom may help. Some individuals may be able to eliminate sleep apnea simply by quitting tobacco products or drinking alcohol. There are a few things that you can do to help alleviate the symptoms of sleep apnea until the condition is treated.

Healthy Choices

Changing lifestyle habits, such as quitting smoking or adding exercise to your routine can be helpful.
Exercise & Weight

Exercise can also help you to lose and maintain a healthy weight.
Sleeping Position

Changing the position in which you sleep can also help. If you find that you continue to roll onto your back, a special pillow can aid in keeping you on your side.
Nasal Passage

Open your nasal passage via breathing strips, saline nasal flush, or a nasal dilator.
Head Position

Elevate your head using extra pillows or a body wedge.
Diet & Alcohol

Some people may have issues sleeping when they consume alcohol. Try eliminating alcoholic drinks from your diet to see if this helps.

Treating Sleep Apnea with an Oral Appliance Therapy

An oral appliance can often be an effective way to treat sleep apnea and more comfortable than a CPAP device. Most patients simply can’t stand the uncomfortable equipment and loud noises that comes along with the CPAP, resulting in non-compliance and worsening symptoms. At The Mugford Center, we offer a better solution: oral appliance therapy called the Metz appliance. These custom-made, safe, FDA-approved devices are designed to reposition the jaw and/or tongue just enough to prevent dangerous airway blockage, resulting in easy, uninterrupted breathing throughout the night. They’re unobtrusive, easy to wear, and even convenient to travel with!

Oral appliance therapy might be a good option for you if:

You are suffering from mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
You have had surgery to treat your sleep apnea and it did not achieve the desired result.
You require sleep apnea treatment but are CPAP intolerant.
You snore and are at risk of developing sleep apnea in the future.
You travel often and need a sleep apnea treatment that is portable.
You could benefit from combined therapy.

Oral appliance therapy utilizes the same basic principle as CPR: if the airway is blocked, a simple way to clear it is to shift the jaw forward. This is actually what our oral appliances do. This small movement prevents the soft tissues in the mouth and throat from relaxing into the airway, allowing a patient to breathe normally while they sleep. Other types of oral appliances also keep the tongue in a neutral position as well.

Schedule Your Sleep Apnea Consultation Today

The proper diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea can help you to get the sleep you need, restoring your quality of life. For more information or to schedule your consultation, call The Mugford Center today at (410) 721-7801. We can help identify and diagnose the severity of the sleep apnea and discuss the best treatment options for your unique situation.

What our patients say…

Mugford is a world class operation with talented specialists and an exceptional staff. Highly recommend.
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