Sleep Apnea TreatmentHOW TO TREAT SLEEP APNEA
An effective sleep apnea treatment includes continuous positive airway pressure therapy (CPAP), surgical options, oral appliances, and weight loss.In this page you'll also discover optional treatments such as positional therapy, herbal remedies, exercises and other natural solutions.
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Different people, different causes, different treatments.
Benefits and Side Effects of CPAP Therapy | |
Benefits | Side Effects |
Reduces or eliminates apneas, | Dry mouth, nose, or throat, |
Reverts oxygen levels to normal, | Uncomfortable feeling of pressure, |
Decreases daytime sleepiness, | Irritation of nasal passages, |
Improves sleep quality, | Chest discomfort, |
Deeper stages of sleep, | Swallowing and aerophagia, |
Eliminates morning headaches, | Skin irritation from mask |
Treats heart problems, | Claustrophobia |
Improves mood and depression. | Irritation of the bridge of the nose |
For more info about benefits from CPAP therapy, see CPAP benefits.
Surgical Sleep Apnea Treatment
Surgery treatment focuses on increasing the upper airway area, to reduce the obstruction during sleep.
The most common surgical options for sleep apnea are:
Laser-assisted Uvulopalatoplasty,
Tracheostomy.
Unfortunately, surgery is not always effective in treating sleep apnea, and can have serious side effects.
Side effects from sleep apnea surgery:
- difficulty swallowing and nasal regurgitation (vomiting) - 31%,
- voice changes - 13%,
- taste disturbances - 5%,
- death - 0.2%.
Read the clinical study source.
For more on side effects from surgery, see Surgery for sleep apnea.
Dental Devices for Sleep Apnea
Dental devices are used to modify the position of the mandible and tongue, to increase the space of the airway. They are usually prescribed and fitted by dentists with qualification in sleep medicine.The most common oral appliances for OSA are:
How Effective are Dental Devices for Sleep Apnea?
Dental appliances are effective for mild and moderate OSA compared with surgeries, but less efficacious than CPAP. In general, the oral devices are recommended for patients who decline CPAP.
For more on dental appliances, see Sleep apnea dental device.
Weight Loss
Weight loss can be a very effective sleep apnea treatment, as long as obesity is the major risk factor for OSA.
OSA patients with severe obesity may benefit from bariatric surgery or gastric bypass.
The weight loss challenge.
Mild and moderate patients can even cure OSA through lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise. Although lifestyle change is difficult, the multiple benefits are far more satisfying than using a CPAP machine, a dental device, or having surgery.
Related articles with obesity in sleep apnea patients:
For more on obesity as a risk factor, see Sleep Apnea and Obesity.
Alternative Sleep Apnea Treatment
Fortunately, some mild and moderate cases of obstructive sleep apnea can be improved with:- positional therapy,
- special exercises,
- yoga,
- singing with didgeridoo
- and many other natural remedies.
Every alternative treatment targets a specific cause of sleep apnea, so it's important to know what is causing your obstruction.
For more on alternative treatments, see Cures for Sleep Apnea.
Bottom line...
It will be very helpful for you to research about sleep apnea condition, and learn all you can about it. It's your health, your body, and your responsibility, and you are the one who will live with the consequences of poor care!
Our Readers Have Questions Related to Sleep Apnea Treatment:
| Will I always have sleep apnea? If you have sleep apnea now, you will always have this sleep disorder? Thank you! |
| Can sleep apnea be cured? I am 27 years of age and my ex partners have all told me I stop breathing when I sleep and it scares them. I've been told this since I was seventeen [...] |
| Tired and depressed after seven days of treatment I feel more tiredness and depression after using sleep apnea treatment for 7 days, though i feel i'm getting a good sleep. I'm told this should pass within a month or so [...] |
(Detailed questions have the highest priority to be answered for FREE!) | |
Related Articles to Sleep Apnea Treatment
More Sleep Apnea Articles:
- New Treatments: Somnoplasty, LAUP, Pillar, etc.
- Natural Solutions: Bodywork, Homeopathy, Acupuncture.
- CPAP Alternatives: Other xPAP machines and products.
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Many people with sleep apnea ask themselves if the trouble they're going through with CPAP, surgery or any other treatment is worth it. Does any type of treatment can make a difference in their life?
These people need encouragement, to find if there is any chance to defeat sleep apnea.
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Now I Can Breathe - New Sleep Apnea Success Story
Started about three years ago, needed naps in the afternoon.
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