The old adage that Las Vegas is the city that never sleeps is simply that… an adage. It might be true for the millions of travelers that are drawn to the city’s bright lights and spectacles every year, but for those that live here, sleep is as necessary as it is for the rest of the country. Of course whenever you want to change things up and be the tourist for once, you need to pack one extra thing most people on the trip do not: Your CPAP machine. Airports and travel can be stressful enough on their own, but now you’re discussing your medical condition with your travel mates who are wondering what your extra piece of baggage is. You’re anxious about sharing a room because you don’t want the sound of your CPAP to disturb anyone, because you know how inhibiting too little sleep can be. Life would be so much easier without it, but you need it, right? That might not be the case anymore, as an oral appliance from iSleepSolutions could be your ideal sleep apnea therapy.
Possible Drawbacks of the CPAP Machine
The goal of any sleep apnea therapy device is to ensure the health of the patient and help them sleep comfortably night after night. One of the traditional solutions to this is a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, or CPAP machine. It works by continually pumping air into a patient in order to keep the airway unobstructed. The patient is supposed to wear the machine every night to ensure its benefit, but only 50% of people who have a CPAP machine actually use it after the first year. The machine can be quite noisy, and this can be disturbing to the patient themselves and anyone else in the room with them. Furthermore, CPAP machines need to be maintained as time goes on, which can be quite expensive depending on your insurance plan. While it is a viable option to help treat sleep apnea, a CPAP machine is not always the best solution to a serious problem.
Benefits of an Oral Appliance
Fortunately there is a viable, low-maintenance solution for the CPAP machine, and that is an oral appliance from iSleepSolutions. The oral appliance works by inserting a plastic mouthguard that gently manipulates your mouth so that your airway naturally stays open. There are a variety of oral appliances that can suit each individual’s needs. The solution is comparable to a CPAP machine in that it helps ensure the patient’s sleep is both healthy and undisturbed. Furthermore, it is not as bulky or noisy as a CPAP machine. The process to create your oral appliance is straightforward and painless. An impression is taken of your mouth and oral structures in order to ensure a customized fit for each patient. This is then used to create the appliance out of plastic, which is easily maintained and replaceable if needed. Dr. West can evaluate you to see if an oral appliance is the best way for you to sleep easy tonight!