Superstorm Sandy has shown a large area of the country what it is like to live without electricity. For most this results in boredom and adding more blankets to stay warm but for people with obstructive sleep apnea a power outage can be serious.

Patients with obstructive sleep apnea stop breathing during sleep. They are typically prescribed a CPAP device as treatment. A CPAP is basically a small air compressor that blows air through the attached hose and mask to keep the sleeper breathing throughout the night. It is a wonderful treatment for the 50% of patients who can tolerate it. But even those patients run into problems if they don’t have access to electricity.

Perhaps it is a power outage due to mother nature or perhaps they like to go camping in the wilderness. They do have another alternative to CPAP and so do all those people who find it impossible to sleep with the machines.

Oral appliances are highly effective at treating sleep apnea and keeping the airway open throughout the night. Find out more about treating your sleep apnea using an oral appliance by contacting Columbus, OH sleep apnea dentist Dr. Mark Levy at 614-476-6696 today.