Snoring and Sleep Apnea Treatment for Wausau and Marathon County

In some cases, snoring is harmless. In others, however, snoring can be an indicator of a potential serious condition known as obstructive sleep apnea and recent studies show that snoring CAUSES plaque build up in the adjacent carotid arteries that can lead to strokes in the brain. It can be a silent killer. Through treatment at our Wausau practice serving Marathon County and surrounding areas, we provide effective help to those with snoring and sleep apnea issues. Sometimes, even people who snore but do not have sleep apnea seek treatment in order to lessen or eliminate loud snoring and its potential negative social effects. Dr. Frederick C. Prehn's brother, Dr. Ronald S. Prehn, is a board-certified provider of sleep apnea treatment. While Dr. Ronald S. Prehn practices in Houston, Texas, he sees patients at our Wausau office once or twice a month. With his scientific approach to snoring and sleep apnea treatment, Dr. Ronald S. Prehn can help you address the effects of these sleep conditions.

To learn more about snoring and sleep apnea treatment at our Wausau, Wisconsin practice, contact the Center for Dental Sleep Medicine.

About Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea occurs during sleep when the tongue and the soft palate collapse towards the back of the throat. This can result in a complete blockage of the airway. When this blockage occurs, a person will typically awaken just enough to open the airway. This can occur many times throughout the night and may lead to extreme daytime sleepiness and the potential for compromised emotional health and a weakened immune system. In addition to disrupting sleep, the condition can lead to oxygen deprivation. Sleep deprivation as a result of sleep apnea can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, sexual dysfunction, and memory problems. There are a number of sleep apnea warning signs, including snoring, and our sleep apnea treatment provider serving Wausau and all of Marathon County has the necessary experience to help you or your loved one learn more about this sleep disorder.

Signs of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is typically characterized by frequent silences during sleep followed by gasps of breath. The silences occur when the airway is obstructed, and the gasps of breath occur when the sleep apnea sufferer suddenly awakes to take in air. Daytime sleepiness can also be a sign of sleep apnea, as can loud snoring. Thankfully, effective sleep apnea treatment options are available. At our practice in Wausau, we use advanced methods of diagnosing and treating sleep apnea so that patients can sleep more soundly and improve their health and overall quality of life.

Below is a questionnaire for those who know they are being affected by snoring. To truly rule out sleep apnea, a sleep study test must be done by a physician. If you answer yes to two or more of these questions, you may be experiencing obstructive sleep apnea.

Do you snore loudly?
Do you often feel tired, fatigued, or sleepy?
Has anyone observed you stop breathing during sleep?
Do you have or are you being treated for high blood pressure?

The Dangers of Snoring

Snoring, by itself, poses its own dangers as new studies have shown that the vibrations that accompany snoring can cause plaque buildup in the adjacent carotid arteries that can lead to strokes. Snoring also causes:

Sleep disturbances that lead to increased anxiety, hyperirritability, decreased memory, and poor concentration
Daytime sleepiness and fatigue
Acid reflux
Increased risk of type 2 diabetes

Heavy snorers are also more likely to develop high blood pressure and heart disease.

Snoring and Sleep Apnea Treatment at Our Wausau Practice

Sleep apnea treatment and, in some cases, lifestyle changes, including exercise and weight loss, can promote healthier sleep in both sleep apnea sufferers and their sleep partners. Snoring and sleep apnea treatment at our Wausau practice serving all of Marathon County typically takes the form of oral appliances. These appliances are sometimes known as mandibular advancement splints or night guards. Oral appliances are worn much like orthodontic retainers and serve to prevent the tongue and soft tissues from blocking the airway.

Sleep Apnea Appliances

A variety of sleep apnea appliances can be used.

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Therapy

There are those in the medical field who believe that CPAP machines can resolve all sleep breathing issues. They are needed for severe cases because they open the airway with positive pressure through a hose and into the nose and down the throat to open the airway. The greatest obstacle to this treatment is the mask. Compliance for this therapy is 51% nation wide. Dr. Ronald S. Prehn has the unique ability to provide combination therapy with an oral appliance that can be worn with the CPAP. He can even fabricate a custom mask that is connected to the oral appliance that eliminates the need for straps and eliminates leaking and noise issues. The perfect solution!

CPAP Therapy

Many sleep apnea sufferers realize the extent to which they were affected by this disorder only after they finally get a good night's sleep. If you or a loved one is snoring or possibly suffering from sleep apnea, Dr. Ronald S. Prehn and our entire staff will help determine which treatment can be expected to provide the most beneficial possible result.

To schedule a thorough snoring and sleep apnea consultation, and to learn more about available treatment options, contact the Wausau practice of Center for Dental Sleep Medicine today.