At Fort Worth Snoring & Sleep Center, we recognize the unwavering dedication, sacrifice, and bravery of our veterans that has ensured the freedom and security that we cherish today in the United States. That’s why we welcome our service members to use their VA benefits at our practice. If you are a veteran who struggles to get a good night’s sleep due to sleep apnea, we can help you get the treatment you need. Continue reading to learn how sleep apnea affects veterans and how your VA benefits will play a role in your treatment.
How Are Veterans Impacted by Sleep Apnea?
According to a 2021 study in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, undiagnosed and undertreated sleep apnea disorders are common among veterans who are at risk for cardiovascular disease. Out of 420 veterans, more than half screened positive for sleep apnea!
Another study of young veterans found that there is a 40% increase in the probability of Obstructive Sleep Apnea as PTSD severity increases. This study reviewed 195 veterans with PTSD – 69% of them being high risk for OSA. Unfortunately, young veterans are rarely screened for sleep apnea, so they continue to be misdiagnosed.
There are a variety of different causes of sleep apnea, including the use of sedatives, excess weight (which can be caused by medications, disabling conditions, and other factors), narrowed airways, and medical conditions, like hypertension and type 2 diabetes. If you think that you may have sleep apnea, give us a call to schedule a visit. We can discuss your symptoms in detail and put together a plan that’s ideal for you.
How Will Your VA Benefits Play a Role?
It is our priority to help veterans get the quality sleep they need to thrive. Once you receive your sleep apnea diagnosis, we can begin working together on your treatment. Your treatment needs to be coordinated with the VA. To avoid receiving a bill for our services, you must receive a referral from the VA. If you have already undergone a sleep test and don’t respond well to CPAP therapy, you should visit your VA doctor first and ask them to call to book you an appointment with our office. To address any questions about this process, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We are familiar with how VA benefits work, so we are more than happy to assist you and walk you through the process.
How Else Do We Help Veterans?
In addition to welcoming VA benefits, we are happy to offer military discounts on new patient consultations. Complimentary airway screenings and sleep consultations are both available for service members regardless of the status of your VA benefits, so contact our practice to get started.
If you have been struggling to get a good night’s sleep, you may have sleep apnea. Give us a call to schedule your first visit. Our team is eager to meet you and happy to help you get the rest you deserve!
About the Author
Dr. Mitch Conditt is passionate about his work in the field of sleep dentistry. In fact, he has been diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea himself. He has over 35 years of experience and is a diplomate of the American Board of Craniofacial Dental Sleep Medicine and a Fellow of the American Academy of Craniofacial Pain. He is also a member of the American Academy of Orofacial Pain, American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, Academy of Clinical Sleep Disorders Disciplines as well as the Texas Dental Association and the American Dental Association. If you are a veteran with sleep apnea, he’d be happy to help you get the treatment you need to sleep deeply and soundly. For more information on sleep apnea or VA benefits, check out his website or call (817) 527-8500.