Do you or someone you know snore? We usually think that snoring is simply an annoying sound that disrupts the sleep of anyone within earshot. However, snoring can often indicate a serious, potentially life-threatening problem called sleep apnea. At Yakima Smiles, Dr. Pete Nathe can treat snoring and sleep apnea, and provide you with the healthy, restorative slumber you need. If you think that you or someone you love is suffering from sleep apnea, please contact our office at (509) 965-7909 to learn more about our sleep apnea treatments in Yakima, Washington, and make an appointment with our experienced dentist.
No More CPAP
Dr. Pete Nathe is committed to keeping up with the latest advances in treating sleep apnea and snoring through continuing education and training. At Yakima Smiles, patients who suffer from mild to moderate sleep apnea can be successfully treated without resorting to a continuous positive airway pressure machine, commonly known as CPAP.
By wearing a customized, acrylic nightguard during slumber, you can counter sleep apnea by keeping your tongue in a healthy position while you sleep. Yakima Smiles proudly offers SomnoDent® and Micr02® oral appliances. Patients who combine nightguard use with lifestyle adjustments such as losing weight and quitting smoking often experience a considerable improvement in their condition.
We are happy to share that sleep apnea appliances are covered by almost every medical insurance plan. Our insurance coordinator is an expert at helping you understand your insurance and obtaining maximum reimbursement for your investment. We will also bill Medicare for our patients, and with most supplements can expect 100% coverage.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a condition that interrupts your breathing while you sleep, sometimes hundreds of times every night. Although millions of Americans suffer from sleep apnea, the problem often goes undiagnosed, leading to greater health risks in the future.
Although sleep apnea can have several possible causes, the most common culprit among adults is excess weight or obesity. Excess weight is often associated with soft tissue of the mouth and throat, which can block your airway during sleep when your tongue and throat are more relaxed. Swollen tonsils, a receding jaw or deteriorating jaw muscles can also be indicators of the condition.
Sleep apnea can manifest in different forms: central sleep apnea (CSA), obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), or a combination of the two. Left untreated, sleep apnea can decrease your life expectancy and quality of life while increasing your risk of:
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Cancer
- Sudden death
Please feel free to download our free Sleep Apnea Questionnaire to learn more and see if you have sleep apnea!
You can also submit it online, and we will contact you!
Online Forms are only available through the Google Chrome web-browser.
Click here to download Google Chrome.
Online Sleep Apnea Questionnaire
Sleep Apnea Symptoms
Sleep apnea is characterized by prolonged lapses of breathing during sleep. These breathing interruptions can last for several minutes and happen multiple times every night. The most common symptoms of sleep apnea include:
- Snoring
- Fatigue
- Morning headaches
- Impaired concentration
- Irritability
- Chronic daytime sleepiness
You may have been told that you snore, but it can be difficult to know if you suffer from an unusually high level of sleepiness during the day. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale is a helpful tool that measures your overall level of sleepiness. If you’d like to learn more about your own sleepiness level, simply download our free Epworth Sleepiness Scale now.
You can also submit it online, and we will contact you!
Online Forms are only available through the Google Chrome web-browser.
Click here to download Google Chrome.
Online Epworth Sleepiness Scale
Whether you have lived with sleep apnea for years or are just noticing the signs now, our skilled dentist can help you address and manage this condition and enjoy better health. Contact us today to learn more and make your appointment!
