Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a very dangerous condition that affects about 10% of the population and can take years off your life. If you snore, gasp for air when sleeping, take medication for depression, diabetes, or high blood pressure, suffer from daytime fatigue, or have acid reflux, you may be suffering from this condition.

Sleep has an inumerable impacts on health, although we are still in the infancy of sleep research and much more has yet to be learned. There are connections between sleep apnea and heart attacks, stroke, diabetes, mental health, and even erectile dysfunction. Sleep deprived driving is also now on the forefront and between 16 and 60% of accidents are estimated to be the result of sleep deprivation, which is beyond the number of accidents caused by drunk driving.

A CPAP, or continuous positive airway pressure device, is the most commonly used method of treating sleep apnea. There are a few downsides to this device because it can be cumbersome and uncomfortable, so much so that it either keeps you awake (the opposite of the goal) or it goes in the closet, never to be seen again. Not to mention the spouse that cannot get a good nights sleep due to the noise from the CPAP machine. In fact, more than half the people that use a CPAP sleep in a separate bedroom from their partner.

Untreated sleep apnea can lead to heart problems, stroke, depression, and memory loss, headaches, panic attacks, and premature aging. Yet, perhaps the most concerning are all the unknown effects that have yet to be learned.

Fortunately, there is an alternative with an oral appliance that Dr Alexander has gone through extensive training to provide to patients. Many people who have gone from using (or not using) their CPAP with this oral appliance say it has greatly improved their (and their partners) quality of life.

Most insurance companies will cover these oral appliances and Dr Alexander's staff has been trained to file medical insurance to accomodate patients.

Call our office at 904-940-5757. We will be happy to answer your questions about sleep apnea.