Sleep Apnea Treatment in St. Louis: What Are Your Options?

Sleep apnea is a common but serious sleep disorder that affects thousands of adults in St. Louis and throughout the surrounding areas. Many people with sleep apnea are undiagnosed, living for years with poor sleep, chronic fatigue, and increased health risks without realizing the underlying cause. Untreated sleep apnea can contribute to heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, depression, and a reduced quality of life.

The good news is that effective sleep apnea treatment options are available in St. Louis, including comfortable, non-invasive solutions. Understanding your options is the first step toward better sleep and better overall health.

Understanding Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a condition in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. The most common form is obstructive sleep apnea, which occurs when the muscles of the throat relax too much, causing the airway to collapse or become blocked. These interruptions in breathing can happen dozens or even hundreds of times per night, often without the person fully waking up.

Common symptoms of sleep apnea include loud or chronic snoring, choking or gasping during sleep, morning headaches, dry mouth, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and excessive daytime sleepiness. Many adults dismiss these symptoms as stress, aging, or poor sleep habits, which delays diagnosis and treatment.

A proper evaluation and diagnosis are essential, as untreated sleep apnea can place significant strain on the cardiovascular and nervous systems over time.

Why Sleep Apnea Should Not Be Ignored

Sleep apnea is more than just snoring. Each breathing interruption reduces oxygen levels in the body, forcing the brain to briefly wake the sleeper to restore airflow. This cycle prevents deep, restorative sleep and places stress on the heart and blood vessels.

Over time, untreated sleep apnea has been linked to serious health conditions such as high blood pressure, heart attacks, irregular heart rhythms, stroke, insulin resistance, and memory issues. It can also increase the risk of workplace accidents and motor vehicle crashes due to chronic fatigue.

Treating sleep apnea not only improves sleep quality but can also reduce long-term health risks and improve daily energy, focus, and mood.

Sleep Apnea Treatment Options in St. Louis

There is no single solution that works for every patient. Sleep apnea treatment should be personalized based on the severity of the condition, anatomical factors, lifestyle, and patient preferences. Below are the most common sleep apnea treatment options available to adults in the St. Louis area.

CPAP Therapy

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure therapy, commonly referred to as CPAP, is often prescribed for moderate to severe sleep apnea. CPAP machines deliver a steady stream of air through a mask to keep the airway open during sleep.

While CPAP can be effective when used consistently, many patients struggle with comfort and compliance. Common complaints include mask discomfort, claustrophobia, skin irritation, noise, dry mouth, and difficulty traveling with the equipment. As a result, many patients either use CPAP inconsistently or stop using it altogether.

For patients who cannot tolerate CPAP, alternative treatment options may provide better long-term results.

Oral Appliance Therapy

Oral appliance therapy is a proven and increasingly popular treatment for mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, as well as for patients with severe sleep apnea who cannot tolerate CPAP. These custom dental devices are worn during sleep and work by gently repositioning the lower jaw and tongue to help keep the airway open.

Unlike over-the-counter devices, professionally made oral appliances are custom-fitted for comfort, effectiveness, and durability. Many patients prefer oral appliances because they are quiet, compact, easy to travel with, and far more comfortable than traditional CPAP equipment.

At Gateway Center for Sleep Apnea & TMJ Therapy in St. Louis, Dr. Kevin F. Postol provides personalized oral appliance therapy as part of a comprehensive approach to treating sleep apnea. Careful evaluation, precise fitting, and ongoing adjustments help ensure optimal results and long-term success.

Combination Therapy

For some patients, combining treatments can offer improved outcomes. Combination therapy may involve using an oral appliance alongside CPAP at a lower pressure setting. This approach can reduce CPAP discomfort while maintaining effective airway support.

Combination therapy is often used for patients with moderate to severe sleep apnea who want to improve comfort and compliance without sacrificing effectiveness.

Lifestyle Modifications and Behavioral Therapy

Lifestyle changes can play an important supporting role in sleep apnea treatment. While they are rarely sufficient as a standalone solution, they can significantly improve treatment outcomes when combined with other therapies.

Lifestyle recommendations may include weight management, reducing alcohol consumption, quitting smoking, establishing consistent sleep routines, and avoiding sleeping on the back when possible. These changes can reduce airway collapse and improve overall sleep quality.

Positional Therapy

Some individuals experience more severe sleep apnea when sleeping on their back. Positional therapy focuses on encouraging side sleeping to reduce airway obstruction. This approach may be helpful for patients with positional sleep apnea, although it is usually combined with other treatments for best results.

Surgical Treatment Options

Surgery is typically considered only after conservative treatments have been explored. Surgical options aim to remove or reposition tissue that contributes to airway obstruction. Procedures may involve the soft palate, tonsils, tongue, nasal passages, or jaw structure.

Surgical treatment is not appropriate for every patient and requires careful evaluation. Recovery time, variable outcomes, and potential risks make surgery a last-resort option for many adults with sleep apnea.

The Role of a Sleep Apnea Dentist

Many people are unaware that dentists play a vital role in sleep apnea treatment. A dentist trained in dental sleep medicine focuses on the relationship between oral structures, jaw position, and airway health.

Dr. Kevin F. Postol has extensive experience treating sleep apnea and TMJ disorders, allowing for a comprehensive understanding of how jaw alignment affects breathing during sleep. At Gateway Center for Sleep Apnea & TMJ Therapy, patients receive individualized care tailored to both sleep health and long-term comfort.

Dental sleep medicine offers an effective, non-invasive alternative for patients who want to avoid CPAP or surgery while still addressing the root cause of their sleep apnea.

How to Determine the Right Treatment for You

The best sleep apnea treatment begins with an accurate diagnosis, often confirmed through a sleep study coordinated with a physician. Once sleep apnea is diagnosed, treatment should be based on the severity of the condition, symptoms, anatomy, and lifestyle needs.

Patients who snore loudly, experience daytime fatigue, or struggle with CPAP intolerance may be excellent candidates for oral appliance therapy. A consultation with a qualified sleep apnea dentist can help determine whether this option is appropriate.

Sleep Apnea Treatment in St. Louis Starts with Personalized Care

If you are struggling with poor sleep, chronic fatigue, or a diagnosed sleep apnea condition, effective treatment is available. Gateway Center for Sleep Apnea & TMJ Therapy provides non-invasive, patient-centered solutions designed to improve sleep quality and overall health.

Dr. Kevin F. Postol and his team are dedicated to helping adults in St. Louis find relief from sleep apnea through advanced dental sleep medicine and customized treatment plans.

Better sleep is not just about feeling rested. It is about protecting your health, improving your daily life, and investing in long-term well-being. With the right treatment approach, restful sleep is within reach.