San Francisco doesn’t have to search for “snoring and sleep apnea treatment near me”
Dr. Leo Arellano and our team help people in San Francisco and across the Bay Area find relief from snoring and sleep apnea using comfortable oral appliances and recommending changes in habits. People do not have to do an internet search for “treatment near me,” they can simply visit our office conveniently located at 3030 Geary Blvd. in San Francisco, CA 94118.
The development of CPAP therapy
Before 1980, a tracheotomy, which involves creating a hole in the throat to enable a patient to breathe without using the mouth or nose, was the common treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) at that time. A physician, Colin Sullivan, at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney, Australia made a discovery that greatly improved treatment. Using a vacuum cleaner motor, tubes, and a diver’s mask, he created a rudimentary air pressure machine to test on a sleep apnea sufferer who refused the tracheotomy, but volunteered to be a test subject for Dr. Sullivan’s experiment. The machine worked and the concept of a CPAP machine was born.
Problems with CPAP
Although CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) therapy, commonly prescribed by physicians, is effective in treating obstructive sleep apnea, it isn’t for everyone. Patient compliance with this treatment is low due to complaints such as discomfort, inconvenience, dry eyes, congestion, a dry mouth, and even social stigma, which eventually cause patients to abandon their treatment. Although CPAP was a wonderful improvement over historic treatments, now a comfortable, convenient dental device can bring relief for many without the problems inherent with CPAP.
Dr. Arellano offers an easy to use, affordable alternative to CPAP for patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. Although a number of oral appliances are available that vary in materials, design, and appearance, they generally fall into one of two categories:
- Tongue retaining appliances hold the tongue in place to prevent it from blocking the airway
- Mandibular repositioning appliances position the jaw forward and down to keep the patient’s airway open.
Dr. Arellano and his team can provide custom fit appliances to relieve the snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. They may also recommend lifestyle changes such as:
- Avoiding medications and alcohol that cause drowsiness
- Weight loss
- Allergy medicines or nasal sprays to keep the nasal passages open
- Smoking cessation
Don’t search for “snoring and sleep apnea treatment near me,” just call 415-881-4343 and schedule an appointment with the team that has extensive experience in helping San Francisco sleep well.
