Popular Treatments For Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a serious condition that causes a person’s breathing to stop spontaneously during sleep. This issue is extremely dangerous because it limits the oxygen to the brain and the rest of the body which can lead to heart failure and more. There are 3 different types of sleep apnea, which include obstructive, central and mixed. Each of these has a variety of complications that will require personalized treatments.
A trained professional will recommend the best solution that will help eliminate your sleep apnea discomforts. See the list of a few popular sleep apnea treat that offer have proven successful in combating the condition.
Positional Therapy
According to the American College of Chest Physicians, 50% of people who experience obstructive sleep apnea can be treated successfully by using positional therapy. This treatment is suggested for people who manifest the symptoms of sleep apnea when they lay on their backs and have relief when sleeping on their sides.
There are 2 types of solutions for positional therapy. The first requires the patient to wear a device around their waist while they are asleep. This device helps the person stay on their sides rather than lean to their backs. The second treatment requires a small device (known as the vibrotactile) to be worn on the back of the neck. The vibrotactile technology gently vibrates when you fall asleep on your back and increases in intensity when the person changes the position.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)
This continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), is a common treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. It entails of gently pushing air through a mask that’s worn on the patient’s face during sleep to keep the airways open. The air supply is pushed through a hose that is connected to a mask.
Initially, this device can be difficult to adjust to because it has to be worn on the face during sleep, but eventually adapting to this sleep therapy will promote a good night’s sleep and healthier life. The CPAP device has had many upgrades since it’s conception in 1980 by Collin Sullivan, Ph.D. It started as an actual vacuum cleaner and a pump for air to a small soundless device.
Adaptive Servo-Ventilation (ASV)
The adaptive servo-ventilation is the device that detects pauses in sleep and resembles the continuous positive airway pressure, mentioned above. This apparatus uses a mask and has a hose that is connected to it and offers just one continuous pressure. According to the American Sleep Association, this form of treatment is great for people who suffer from central sleep apnea or have a form of complicated sleep apnea.
Expiratory Positive Airway Pressure
These devices are placed over each nostril when before you go to bed. They make it easier for air to flow in and out of the nose and increases the pressure of air within the airways. In addition, this device can help reduce snoring and increase alertness during the day. This device is also gentle and doesn’t force the air into the nose rather, you use your own breathing.
Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure
This device pushes pressure to your upper airway when you inhale and lower airway when you exhale. This treatment is very similar to continuous positive airway pressure, it is non-invasive. The bilevel positive airway pressure has a pushes air through a mask to the airways.
Surgery
If all other treatments have not worked to combat your sleep apnea, your doctor may suggest surgery. Surgery will make the airways within your nose larger so that you can breath easier. Some surgical options may include:
- Jaw Repositioning: This surgery consists of moving your jaw forward. This will create more air space behind your soft palate.
- Tissue removal: In this procedure, your doctor will remove a tissue from the side of the mouth. This treatment will remove the structures that cause the snoring and the development of sleep apnea.
- Tongue Base Reduction: This surgery removes the amount of tissue in the tongue to reduce the risks of sleep apnea by using radiofrequency waves to shrink tissue. This procedure does not cause damage to the surrounding tissues in the mouth and is also minimally invasive.
The surgical option for treatment depends on the patient and their incapability of using physical therapy’s such as the CPAC.
Contact Us –
Dr. Marc J. Beshar is dedicated to helping his patients combat their sleep apnea and improve their lives drastically. If you suffer from symptoms of sleep apnea and want to find a solution, contact Dr. Marc J. Beshar today. He will provide you with necessary treatment that will bring back your good night’s rest.