For people battling restless sleep and the resulting chronic fatigue, the silent culprit might be sleep apnea, a condition far more prevalent and dangerous than commonly understood. Lighthouse Sleep Apnea center, through its dedicated sleep care program, is on a mission to raise awareness about the health issue and a less invasive, custom-fit, oral appliance. The oral appliance works extremely well for those with low, moderate and even severe sleep apnea. For those with severe sleep apnea most often a CPAP is the best option. However, for those who cannot tolerate a CPAP a top of the line oral appliance can be very effective.
In a recent interview with Moody on the Market, Jason Prillwitz, Sleep Care Coordinator and Director of Operations for Lighthouse Sleep Apnea Center, emphasized the severity of the issue.
“Sleep apnea means suffocation at night – and that’s a health condition as serious as it sounds. Your airway collapses for more than 10 seconds, forcing your body into a constant fight-or-flight state,” said Prillwitz. The average suffocation duration is 30 seconds and can occur dozens of times per hour. “This can cut 12 to 15 years off your life and significantly worsen conditions like high blood pressure, stroke risk, and diabetes. Left untreated, it can be deadly.”
Prillwitz said many times, people miss the symptoms of sleep apnea and unknowingly live with the issue and the health problems it causes.
“Excessive daytime tiredness, brain fog, and frequent nighttime bathroom trips are common signs, but often, it’s a bed partner who first notices the snoring or gasping for air,” he explained. “While genetics play a significant role, factors like diet and mouth breathing can also contribute.”
A major hurdle in diagnosis, according to Prillwitz, is denial, particularly among men. “There’s a sense of pride, a feeling that a sleep issue is a weakness, but that’s not true, and the consequences of untreated sleep apnea are very serious,” he said. Prillwitz said 70% of heart attack victims and 92% of stroke patients also suffer from sleep apnea. He said the continuous stress on the body from repeated suffocation attempts prevents restorative deep and REM sleep, leading to exhaustion and a host of health complications.
Lighthouse Dental’s CFO Michael Zimmerman noted they often encourage couples to come to the appointment together, because they are better able to share a full picture of what’s happening with overnight sleep patterns and potential symptoms during the day that might be improved with proper treatment.
“It’s also important for both of them to come in together because at least 50 percent of the time, the spouse has (sleep apnea) as well. They just don’t know because the other one isn’t saying, ‘hey honey you snore like a freight train,’ but it turns out that it’s just as prevalent in women as it is in men,” said Zimmerman.
Lighthouse Sleep Apnea Center aims to simplify the diagnostic process and overcome patient anxiety by showing people how simple and non-invasive the process is – from the initial examination to the appliance fitting. They offer a free Eccovision airway test, which acoustically maps a patient’s airway in a matter of seconds. “It’s as simple as blowing into tubes,” Zimmerman said. “This technology was a significant investment, and we did it for our patients — not only because it identifies airway weaknesses but also determines if an oral appliance is a suitable solution, saving patients from investing in ineffective treatments.”
For many, the oral appliance presents a compelling alternative to CPAP machines. If the free airway test indicates a CPAP is the best alternative, Lighthouse Sleep Apnea Center works closely with area sleep doctors and will refer you to a specialist in your area. Prillwitz describes it as a custom-fitted device worn at night that gently moves the lower jaw forward and opens the bite vertically, preventing airway collapse. Unlike CPAP, which often has a compliance rate of just 50% due to discomfort, oral appliances boast a 90% compliance rate. “It’s easier to travel with, more comfortable, and for mild to moderate sleep apnea, it’s just as effective,” Prillwitz stated.
While CPAP remains vital for severe cases, Lighthouse Sleep Apnea Center often recommends the oral appliance as an alternative for its ease of use and high patient acceptance and satisfaction. The group actively collaborates with area medical doctors, educating them on the benefits of oral appliance therapy and receiving increasing referrals. They also offer a laser procedure to shrink soft tissue in the throat, further opening obstructed airways.
Prillwitz said Lighthouse Sleep Apnea Center is committed to making treatment accessible and affordable, accepting most major medical insurance and offering payment plans.
“We tell people, for the cost of a cup of coffee a day, you can significantly improve your quality of life and potentially add years to it,” says Prillwitz. “The message is clear: sleep apnea is serious, but a simple, comfortable, life-improving solution might be closer than you think.”
Lighthouse Sleep Apnea Center encourages everyone to make an appointment for the FREE AIRWAY TEST to see if you have a reduction in air flow. As they say at Lighthouse Sleep Apnea Center “The consequences of untreated sleep apnea are severe and the solution is so simple”.
