30701 Woodward Ave, Suite 200
Royal Oak, MI 48073
Royal Oak, MI 48073
Trust us when we say that we’ve heard all sorts of sleep apnea stories. Maybe you’ve noticed your partner snoring extremely loudly, or that they suddenly wake up gasping for air around 3 a.m. on a nightly basis.
And if your partner has personally told you that you snore loudly each night, or if you’ve noticed that you’re waking up feeling breathless in the middle of the night on your own, then you could be experiencing common symptoms of sleep apnea.
Over 12 million Americans have been impacted by sleep apnea, and it’s unfortunate how a lot of people never recognize the full ramifications of this condition. Our sleep apnea treatment specialists in Royal Oak MI have supported hundreds of patients when it comes to better understanding and resolving their sleep apnea, and we fully understand how you likely have many questions on your mind when you’re first beginning to understand the severity of your condition.
That’s why we’re answering a comprehensive list of FAQs about sleep apnea, so check out the below sections to see if your concerns are answered here!
Sleep apnea is a serious health condition that causes an individual to periodically stop breathing while they sleep, which can occur as frequently as 20-30 times per hour. Each time breathing stops, your brain alerts you about a lack of oxygen and jolts you awake to properly restart your breathing.
Because you’re only awake for a brief moment, a lot of people don’t remember waking up at all—which can inadvertently lead to people thinking they got a full night’s sleep.
Sleep apnea results in a consistent wake-sleep cycle that limits an individual’s deep sleep and subsequently increases their overall likelihood of daytime drowsiness.
Obstructive sleep apnea is a type of sleep apnea that’s caused by a partial or complete airway blockage that impacts an individual while they sleep. Obstructive sleep apnea is considered to be the most common sleep-related breathing disorder, and this issue is often related to throat muscles relaxing and blocking breathing airways during sleep.
Some common symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea include:
· Loud snoring
· Excessive daytime drowsiness
· Morning headaches
· Observed moments of stopped breathing while sleeping
· Waking up during the middle of the night choking or gasping
Snoring sleep apnea is typically more common among men than women, and it’s particularly common among men who are over 40. But anyone can suffer from snoring sleep apnea, regardless of their age or gender.
Some of the risk factors associated with snoring sleep apnea include drinking, smoking, obesity, sedative use and family genetics. Central sleep apnea is also common among people with neuromuscular disorders, heart disease, brain tumors, and stroke victims.
Although snoring frequently accompanies sleep apnea, it’s not necessarily a consistent indicator that an individual has this particular sleep condition. However, snoring often does indicate that an individual has bulky throat tissue that can obstruct airways. This is one big reason why people who snore need to pay extra close attention to their lifestyle choices.
The good news is that snoring and sleep apnea can both be treated with a customized oral appliance that widens a patient’s airways and prevents snoring and sleep apnea symptoms.
There’s no denying that sleep apnea is a significant medical issue that can lead to disasters like heart failure and strokes when left untreated. A lot of people that suffer from sleep apnea also have high blood pressure as well.
Many people with sleep apnea also experience daytime drowsiness, which can lead to issues at work, school, or while driving and operating heavy machinery.
Everyone’s sleep apnea is different, so sleep apnea treatments are always customized on a case-by-case basis.
There are some basic behavioral treatments that can support many patients, which can include no longer smoking, losing weight, or sleeping on your sides instead of on your back.
Beyond that, there are a couple of different oral appliances that can be used to better position an individual’s mouth in order to prevent throat blockages. Many sleep apnea patients will resort to CPAP machines as well.
And in some severe sleep apnea cases, surgery is the patient’s best option.
CPAPs are typically very effective when it comes to treating common sleep apnea symptoms and issues; however, it’s also common for some people to consider CPAP masks uncomfortable and inconvenient while sleeping.
Today’s oral appliances have become a wildly popular alternative to CPAPs, and this is because they’re portable, small, comfortable, and provide similar treatment results.
The tough truth is that obstructive sleep apnea typically doesn’t get better as an individual gets older, unless their sleep apnea is considered severe and they get corrective surgery.
If your sleep apnea treatment includes an oral appliance, it’s important to remember that this will more than likely be a lifelong therapy. However, there are certain health factors like weight loss that can significantly improve your sleep apnea symptoms—which could potentially wean you off your oral appliance.
Our team will always work closely with your insurance provider to cover as much of your sleep apnea treatment as we possibly can, but insurance plans vary widely, and we’ll always let you know if you’re not covered for any reasons.
If you believe that your partner or loved one is currently suffering from sleep apnea, you should reach out to our team as soon as possible.
We’ll be able to schedule a sleep study and precisely diagnose the extent of your loved one’s problem, and then we’ll initiate their best treatment options.
Has your partner or family told you that you snore loudly at night? Have you noticed that you’re waking up in the middle of the night feeling short of breath or gasping for air?
If you answered yes to either of the above questions, then it’s possible that you’re suffering from obstructive sleep apnea.
The Rontal Clinic experts have supported the Royal Oak MI area with comprehensive medical treatment services since 1972, and we’re still a family-owned clinic today in 2025 that specializes in ENT conditions and complex sub-specialty concerns.
We understand how tough it is to live with sleep apnea, and we’re here to help you or your loved one reach healthier, sustainable sleep patterns. Reach out to us online or give us a call at 248-737-4030 to schedule your sleep apnea consultation appointment today!