By Sarah Whitman
Senior Staff Writer
Sleep apnea does more than prevent people from getting a good night’s rest.
People with the disorder stop breathing, sometimes for more than a minute. Fortunately, area doctors offer several treatments to correct the disorder.
“There is a tremendous need in this area of medicine,” said Dr. Jay Nelson, who practices dentistry in Lutz. “Sleep apnea is a serious health issue in our country and 18 million people in the U.S. suffer from it. If left untreated, it can be life threatening.”
Nelson is now offering a sleep apnea treatment called SomnoDent, an alternative to the commonly used Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machine (CPAP). A CPAP machine delivers pressure through a hose to a mask, opening the airway.
With SomnoDent, an appliance is fitted for the mouth that patients wear while sleeping. The appliance, called a Mandibular Advancement Splint, works by moving the jaw slightly forward, tightening the muscles of the upper airway to prevent obstruction while sleeping.
“All it takes is a fitting and a couple of visits,” Nelson said. “The device is for people who can’t wear a CPAP. With this appliance, patients can still open their mouths, eat and drink. It opens the airway so patients can breathe again.”
Dr. Juan Cevallos, doctor of pulmonology with Florida Medical Clinic, said not all patients should use an oral device like SomnoDent, in particular obese patients.
“I try to use the CPAP as much as possible because it has the highest success rate,” Cevallos said. “If someone can not use the CPAP, then we talk about other treatments like oral devices.”
Cevallos sees sleep apnea patients on a daily basis. Most are referred to him by family physicians that suspect a sleeping disorder. Symptoms of sleep apnea include snoring, continuous daily fatigue, hypertension and even diabetes.
“I bring people in for a consultation and then I send them to the sleep clinic,” Cevallos said.
Cevallos uses the sleep clinic at Pasco Regional Medical Center. Somnomedics is another diagnostic clinic with several sleep study centers in the Tampa area. To be seen at a sleep clinic, patients must have a doctor’s referral.
“If someone is presenting with symptoms the doctor sends them for an overnight study,” said Carol Pollice, clinical director for Somnomedics in North Tampa. “We monitor their breathing, brain activity, heart activity and the air flow through the nose and the mouth. We take audio and video.”
Once a diagnosis is made, the next step is testing to determine what treatment will work.
“If the diagnosis is sleep apnea, we work to find what treatment is best for the patient,” Cevallos said. “It’s like trying on shoes, not every person can wear every size shoe. We have to find the one that fits.”
Only dentists offer SomnoDent. Nelson is the first certified provider in Central and East Pasco County, and will see anyone with a diagnosis of sleep apnea. Even though the device is not covered by medical or dental insurance like a CPAP, Nelson still considers it a good choice.
“It’s more comfortable and it doesn’t make noise,” Nelson said. “Some patients just won’t wear a CPAP. This may be a better option for them.”
Dr. Jay Nelson’s practice is located at 1928 Highland Oaks Blvd. in Lutz. For an appointment call (813) 949-0424. Dr. Juan Cevallos practices at Florida Medical Clinic in Land O’ Lakes and Zephyrhills. For an appointment, call (813) 782-1329 or (813) 615-1740.
