I recently had a patient who came in for oral appliance therapy, a CPAP alternative treatment for the condition of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). I could not help but notice her red face. Later I found out that what I thought was a form of rosacea, was a reaction to her CPAP mask.

Because I have quite a few patients that use both CPAP and oral appliances (intermittently), here is a list of some of the more common reasons for redness after wearing the CPAP device. Increases levels of adult acne are also not uncommon with CPAP usage.

Some of these reasons for redness or increased levels of acne include:

• Over tightening of the mask straps.
• Not cleaning the mask properly.
• Sensitivity to the mask cleaning products.
• Sensitivity to silicone or the mask material itself.
• Poor fitting mask needing replacement.
• Mask needing replacement.
• Pressure points caused by poor mask fit.
• Moisture accumulation between the mask and the skin.
• Problem with skin products under the mask..

Here are some possible solutions based on the problems above:

• Discuss fit of your current mask with your healthcare professional.
• Review home care-cleaning instructions.
• Consider nasal pillows interphase.
• Consider mask liners or cheek mask liners.
• Don’t over tighten the straps of your CPAP mask.
• Consider discussing problems with others of an A.W.A.K.E. apnea support group.
• Investigate chemical sensitivity of cleaning products.
• Consider oral appliance therapy, an alternative to CPAP.
• Limit skin products under mask.
• Consider mask liners.

Redness and acne that results with the use of CPAP mask can become a real problem for many patients. Because apnea is a life-altering condition that needs to be treated, it’s important to find the root of the cause and attempt to work through it.

Here are some references that many help:

• Mask liners–RemZZZs for over the counter purchase
• AWAKE support group -  http://www.sleepapnea.org/support/a.w.a.k.e.-network-map.html

Dental Sleep and TMD Center of Illinois, a premiere snoring and apnea treatment center in Naperville, has been providing the CPAP alternative treatment of oral appliance therapy for over 15 years successfully. We are extremely passionate in helping individuals that have been struggling with CPAP therapy in Naperville, Lisle, Aurora, Bolingbrook and surrounding Chicago suburbs. For more information on this physician recommended treatment option, visit www.TiredOfSnoring.com or call us at (630) 369-5508.

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(As seen in Naperville Glancer, April 2013 edition)

“I feel like myself again!” a patient happily blurted out at a recent visit to our practice. Was she talking about a recent smile makeover? Or possibly a re-energized feeling from a new exercise program? Maybe a new healthy eating plan has rejuvenated her? No, she was able to sleep well again, for the first time in over a decade!

Knowing she had snoring issues, Elaine was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, a sleeping disorder that caused pausing or dips in breathing throughout the night during sleep.  In many cases sleep apnea can cause restless sleep, poor quality of sleep and an entire list of other problems such as:

• Lack of energy
• Lock of focus
• Depression-like symptoms
• Weight gain
• High blood pressure
• Personality changes
• Increase the chance of stroke and heart attacks

Unfortunately, Elaine could not get accustomed to wearing an air pressure device (CPAP) that is often used to treat OSA patients.  Years of not treating her condition took a real toll on her emotional well-being. She never felt rested, and often even depressed.

Luckily her physician referred her to us, for the treatment of oral appliance therapy, a CPAP alternative. An oral appliance proved to be a success for her.  In as little as a week after wearing an oral appliance, she was able to sleep well for the first time in years. 

And soon afterwards, she notices how much better she felt throughout the day.

Whether it be snoring, obstructive sleep apnea a, or one of the many other sleeping disorders, lack of good quality of sleep can have devastating effect. If you are interested in regaining your ‘youthful’ self-back and sleep well again, discuss your symptoms with your physician. It may lead to a youthful, more energetic you!

Dr. Sosenko is a general dentist and Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine.  She offers state-of-the-art snoring and apnea patients relief through professional oral appliance therapy. She may be contacted at www.TiredofSnoring.com or call 630.369.5508.

We recently had a patient explain to us that when she was diagnosed with sleep apnea the only treatment option she as given was CPAP therapy.  She was desperate to know what other treatment options are available as a CPAP alternative.

Unfortunately, most patients I have seen over the last 15 years of working with obstructive sleep apnea sufferers have mentioned that CPAP therapy was their only option.   Yes, there are options!  However, which option that is best for you does depend on several things.  The severity of the apnea, sleepiness and fatigue levels during the day, and other complicated health conditions will play a part on the decision the doctor will make in managing your apnea treatment.  But the most common treatments options include the following.

Behavior Management

• Weight loss is highly recommended if needed.
• Avoid alcohol, sedatives, and tobacco
• Stress management
• Change your body position during sleep

Nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Device

• Most common and effective treatment for sleep apnea and is the “Gold Standard” of care for obstructive sleep apnea.
• To keep the airway open positive air pressure is provided through the mask to keep the airway open during sleep

Oral Appliance Therapy

• Often very effective for mild to moderate apnea patients or for those people that are unable to tolerate CPAP therapy.
• These apnea mouth devices change the position of the mouth structure to maintain an open airway in the throat.
• It is important to work with a specially trained dentist with knowledge of jaw joints and sleep disorders.  Diplomates of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine have completed a rigorous testing process.
• There are many types of oral appliances, and the selection as to which is to be constructed is based on many patient parameters.

Surgery

• May be mentioned depending on the case severity and patient’s airway and throat anatomy.
• Except where abnormalities are present (nasal polyps, enlarged tonsils, deviated septum, or jaw malformations) surgery is only 50% effective, and many cases, which are in initially successful fail within five years.

Dental Sleep and TMD Center of Illinois, a premiere snoring and apnea treatment center in Naperville has been providing the CPAP alternative treatment of oral appliance therapy for over 15 years successfully. We are extremely passionate in helping individuals that have been struggling with CPAP therapy in Naperville, Wheaton, Aurora, Bolingbrook and surrounding Chicago suburbs. For more information on this physician recommended treatment option, visit www.TiredOfSnoring.com or call us at (630)369-5508.

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Although traveling these days with CPAP is becoming more common, patients carrying such devices need to be aware of potential problems at security checkpoints at international travel points.

Earlier this week, when discussing a recent incident with one of my patients, I felt compelled to hit the paper with some recent travel obstacles he came across.  Being a seasoned traveler with lots of experience with international travel, he thought he was ahead of the game by bringing along a medical device description document for his CPAP.  Well, unfortunately it didn’t help his hope of a smooth run through security.

India was this patient’s travel destination.  So what happened at the airport designation in India? Well, being suspected of a potential weapon led to a complete dismantling, piece by piece, of his CPAP device. It was unusable for the remainder of his itinerary.  Anticipating continued travel overseas led his physician to refer him to us, for a common CPAP alternative treatment called oral appliance therapy. Oral appliance therapy which ‘appears far tamer’ than CPAP, is easier to travel with through security checkpoints than CPAP.

Will oral appliance therapy be his answer to easy travel? Well, we hope so. But even with the choice of the 80 such professional  devices out on the market, it may be best to choose a device that ‘appears’ the simplest, less cumbersome design to decrease the chance of security scrutiny of the oral device. A thoroughly trained dentist in dental sleep medicine is aware of quite a few options to choose from which can help reach a successful outcome.

For more information on where to start your quest for a CPAP alternative treatment, or for treatment for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea, listen to our audio presentation – Exploring Oral Devices to Treat Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Where to Start

Dental Sleep and TMD Center of Illinois, a premiere snoring and apnea treatment center in Naperville, has been providing the CPAP alternative treatment of oral appliance therapy for over 15 years successfully. We are extremely passionate in helping individuals that have been struggling with CPAP therapy in Naperville, Wheaton, Aurora, Bolingbrook and surrounding Chicago suburbs. For more information on this physician recommended treatment option, visit www.TiredOfSnoring.com or call us at (630)369-5508.

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In our last blog, Another Successful CPAP Alternative Case in Naperville!, we described how it took years for one of our patients to go from being diagnosed with snoring and obstructive sleep apnea to getting great high quality sleep. Years of struggling with CPAP (Continuous Positive Air Pressure machine) problems had finally been stopped with the use of a custom made professionally prescribed mouth retainer (oral appliance therapy). No snoring, improved energy, and just good sleep!

Unfortunately, for a variety of reasons, prescribing physicians often overlook oral appliance therapy (OAT) for the treatment of snoring and apnea. Here are just a few reasons why:

• Lack of knowledge about oral appliance therapy within the physicians’ world remains the primary reason for lack of guidance towards OAT.
• For many, especially moderate to severe cases, or those that are very sleepy during the day, CPAP remains their best quickest option, at least early on.
• Very unfortunate remains the fact that physicians who ARE aware of OAT feel that these devices are too expensive and may not work, and may discourage patients from even trying oral appliance therapy. This truly saddens me.
• Some geographical areas do not have many dentists who are trained in snoring and apnea treatment. Rarely is this area taught in dental schools.
• Some medical facilities obtain revenues from the CPAP industry, and as a result have a financial interest in having patients go the CPAP route. Their focus is often on what is easily accessible, and what has the highest success rates (if used).
• OAT crosses the MD – -DDS barrier more than any other dental treatment. Ongoing communications between these worlds are often minimally existent.  Both sectors are needed and it takes effort to coordinate treatment and referral process.
• Medical facilities often lack a highly evolved system in following up with previously diagnosed patients. Many just fall though the cracks and alternatives are rarely given.

It has been well over 15 years when I had first entered the world of dental sleep medicine. Reflecting on this, I am amazed that many obstacles to treatment that were present then are still present today.  Obstacles of getting good sleep through custom oral devices have not changed. My professional ‘wish’ in the world of dental sleep medicine is that the medical and dental worlds unite, and put the patient’s sleep their number one priority by directing them to the best treatment for their snoring and apnea condition.

by: Dr. Lydia Sosenko

Dental Sleep and TMD Center of Illinois, a premiere snoring and apnea treatment center in Naperville, has been providing the CPAP alternative treatment of oral appliance therapy for over 15 years successfully. We are extremely passionate in helping individuals that have been struggling with CPAP therapy in Naperville, Lisle, Aurora, Bolingbrook and surrounding Chicago suburbs. For more information on this physician recommended treatment option call us at (630) 369-5508.

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