CPAP Alternative Provides Treatment Options for Sleep Apnea Patients

May 11, 2012 - PRLog -- Herndon, VA - Dr. Abe Katz DDS, FICOI, is providing TAP PAP, a unique FDA approved treatment, to sufferers of severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) who have difficulty tolerating the Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machine (CPAP).  

Unlike CPAP that covers the face and is held in place with straps, TAP PAP is a small, custom-fitted facial mask that only covers the mouth and nose.  This allows for a much more comfortable treatment solution, notes Dr. Katz.

Dr. Katz is noted as one of the few dental sleep professionals highly trained in sleep medicine in the greater Washington DC area.  He has just completed an extensive training program in the fabrication and use of TAP PAP treatments.

TAP PAP advantages are crucial to treating sleep apnea patients who refuse to wear CPAP because they say it makes them feel claustrophobic.  The TAP PAP lightweight size makes it a nearly invisible treatment while still delivering a steady flow of oxygen that is vital to restoring normal, healthy sleep patterns, says Dr. Katz.

TAP PAP can be used in combination with a customized oral appliance and the CPAP nasal pillow.  TAP PAP has a small, customized mask that creates a strong seal around the nose and mouth which allows for higher airflow that is still considerably below that of a conventional CPAP mask.  This is important says Dr. Katz because excessive air pressure on the face making exhalation difficult is another reason why sleep apnea patients do not use CPAP regularly.

Dr. Katz works closely with sleep physicians, who through sleep studies, can determine the severity of a patient’s sleep apnea.  It is estimated that over 20 million Americans suffer from Obstructive Sleep Apnea. While CPAP has been a tried and successful recommended treatment of OSA, many patients find the CPAP machine uncomfortable and confining and do not use it.  

That is a decision that can kill says Dr. Katz:  Due to an obstruction of the upper airway by the tongue and soft tissue, OSA sufferers can literally stop breathing hundreds of times during the night.  Additionally, OSA has been shown to have a long-term negative effect on the heart and cardiovascular system.  It also results in excessive daytime sleepiness, abnormal mood swings and disorientation.  The bottom line is OSA is a dangerous life threatening disorder that needs treatment.

Dr. Abe Katz has a long history of providing relief for patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea from his Center For Sleep Solutions. He is a member of the prestigious American Association of Dental Sleep Medicine; graduate of the Las Vegas Institute of Advance Dental Studies; member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry; Academy of General Dentistry; American Dental Association; American Dental Society; and the International Congress of Oral Implantologists.

Dr. Katz can be reached at his office in Herndon, VA at 703.478.9574 and online at http://www.aakatzdds.com .