Sleep Apnea Support Group
Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder characterized by brief interruptions of breathing during sleep. People with sleep apnea partially awaken as they struggle to breathe, but in the morning they may not be aware of sleep disturbances.
i have severe obstructive sleep apnea i have had a cpap machine for several months but have been unable to sleep wearing it as i have a very dry cough and I'm permenantly congested due to clenching my teeth in my sleep i have a humidifier that connects to my cpap machine which makes no difference as the air from the cpap machine makes me choke i learned that when i first start to doze off to sleep is when i start holding my breath which often makes me jump so specialist says this cud poss be making me panic which makes me choke are there any other alternative therapies/remedies herbal remedies that can help obstructive sleep apnea ??
Sorry to hear about your issues with your cpap machine, but you are NOT alone.
Some studies show that up to 70% of all patients prescribed with a cpap can not ( or will not) use it.
The best alternative for those whom are cpap intolerant is Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT). This is an appliance that can be fabricated by a dentist who has special training in Sleep Breathing Disorders.
This is NOT something that is taught in dental schools. A dentist has to go to Post Doctoral training to learn about sleep physiology and how to read a Polysomnographic sleep report.
You can google, sleep dentist and your city to see if there is a dentist in your area who has this specialty training.
Be careful, many dentists will tell you that they can make you a "SnoreGuard" mouthpiece. This is NOT what you need. You need an OAT that is a Mandibular Advancement Device or MAD. Call around to different dentists in your area that come up in google as Sleep Dentists and ask 3 questions.
(1) Does the doctor have specialty training in Sleep Disordered Breathing?
(2) Does the doctor know how to read a PSG?
(3) Does the doctor use a dental laboratory to fabricate his MAD's that can make the mouthpiece "Titratable"? (To Titrate an appliance means that the amount of lower jaw advancement is adjustible).
If the answer to all 3 is not yes, find another dentist.
Good Luck,
Dr. Scott Tamura
Daily Strength TMJ Expert
Please please please heed the warning to find a real expert. Look in the bigger cities. I am going to contact my state dental school and ask them to spread the word to all the dentists to REFER patients! I meet people with severe jaw issues every week. My jaw specialist is not a surgeon. She herself and her assistants have these problems. They almost always suggest a sleep test and also ask about migraines- all these things are related..... My local dentist referred me to the local "quack" who did TMJ as a hobby! He actually made me worse and then told me he had never seen a problem like mine. Funny as one of my coworkers in my very small town seems to have a similar problem... don't give up!!! One of my friends actually accused me of "doctor shopping" and it really hurt. Spread the word and maybe the doctors will start listening. I have an oral device like Dr. Tamura mentioned. Insurance doesn't pay much but it is a necessity for me. I still wake up tired every morning but at least I know why now! Hang in there- my husband still has trouble understanding that I am not like this on purpose. I do get sad ( bad sleep causes mood swings) and I have gained weight. You are not alone.
http://www.healthcareasia.org/2018/when-breathing-too-much-can-kill-you/
When breathing too much can “kill” you