Treatments for Sleep Apnea

There are a variety of treatments available for sleep apnea. The appropriate treatment is determined by an individual's medical history, the severity of their disorder, and the type of sleep apnea they exhibit. A sleep studyis a great place to start when trying to figure out what treatment is best suited for each individual.

Most treatments begin with lifestyle changes such as: losing weight, avoiding alcohol, and stopping usage of any medications that relax the upper airway musculature. Some people are helped by special devices or pillows that keep them from sleeping in certain positions that facilitate closure of their airways. Oral appliances can also be used to ensure the airway stays open during sleep. If these methods do not offer sufficient improvement to the patient’s condition, doctors often recommend continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment. This treatment uses a face mask to provide pressurized airflow to your airway, keeping it open so that the user can breathe. There are also surgical procedures that can be used to remove tissue and widen the airway. Sometimes one of these methods is enough. Other times people may need a combination of these methods in order to cure their sleep apnea

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatments - Non-surgical

The non-surgical treatments for obstructive sleep apnea include:

• Behavioral Changes
• CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) Treatment
• Dental Appliances
• Medications

Behavioral changes to reduce or eliminate sleep apnea

Behavioral changes are the simplest way to treat cases of mild obstructive sleep apnea. In these cases one or more of the following behaviors might reduce a patient’s apnea.

Losing Weight: Many times, sleep apnea is weight related. Excess fat around the neck area makes the airway narrower, which makes obstructions more likely to occur. For overweight people with mild sleep apnea, weight loss might be an effective treatment. It can also lessen the severity of the sleep apnea. An important point to keep in mind, is that weight loss can be very difficult for people who have sleep apnea because they may feel too tired to exercise during the day. Weigh loss also becomes difficult for people with sleep apnea because they use food as a means to stay awake. Additionally, weight loss is a gradual process that can take a long time before there are significant changes. Therefore, a combination of treatments can help reduce or eliminate the sleep apnea in a shorter period of time.

Avoiding alcohol and certain medications: Drinking alcohol or taking sleeping pills and other pain medications can relax the throat muscles and block the airways. They can also make the brain more "sleepy" and difficult to awaken when there is a lack of oxygen in the body (which is the natural response). This can lead to more serious pauses in breathing.

Sleeping on your side: Sleep apnea can be exacerbated by sleeping on your back. While in this position the tongue is more likely to fall back and block the airway. This position also allows the airway muscles to collapse and block the airway. So sleeping on the side can help reduce the amount of apneas (cessations in breathing).

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