Sleep Apnea Treatments

As sleep apnea technology continues to progress, the treatments made available offer sleep apnea sufferers more options than ever. Treatment is a highly personalized process and will vary based on the patient’s needs. Here are a few of the treatment options that may offer relief: • Continuous Positive Airway Pressure device (CPAP) — Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) is the "gold standard" of treatment for patients with sleep apnea. The CPAP machine works by using pressure to send air flowing through the nasal passages, keeping the throat from collapsing during sleep—the main reason why individuals with sleep apnea stop breathing periodically throughout the night. Why is this important? Most of us are aware that a good night’s sleep is essential. REM Sleep, the time during sleep when we dream, contributes to overall health and proper body function.But during a sleep apnea event,

the individual leaves REM sleep many times throughout the night to restart his or her breathing. The result is a lack of deeply restful sleep that seriously affects the body's ability to function.

•Behavioral changes-Behavioral changes are an important part of the treatment program, and in mild cases behavioral therapy may be all that is needed. The individual should avoid the use of alcohol, tobacco, and sleeping pills, which make the airway more likely to collapse during sleep and prolong the apneic periods. Overweight persons can benefit from losing weight. Even a 10 percent weight loss can reduce the number of apneic events for most patients. In some patients with mild sleep apnea, breathing pauses occur only when they sleep on their backs. In such cases, using pillows and other devices that help them sleep in a side position is often helpful.

• Surgery – In cases where more conservative options prove ineffective, surgery can help those who are experiencing breathing problems due to anatomical causes by expanding the airway.

• Sleep habit changes – Sometimes changing sleeping position or location, adding a humidifier, avoiding alcohol and sedatives, and other behavioral changes can help.

• Medications – Certain medications may help patients manage the daytime sleepiness and fatigue symptoms.

• Dental appliances – Most dental appliances are made from acrylic and fit inside your mouth like an athletic mouth guard or braces. Some appliances fit around your head and chin to help reposition your lower jaw. All dental appliances are designed to open your airway, bringing your jaw or tongue forward during sleep to reduce obstruction. Unfortunately, individuals suffering from more severe forms of sleep apnea cannot find relief with these devices. Side effects from dental appliances include:

- Mouth soreness
- Permanent changes or damage to the jaw, teeth, or mouth
- Build up of saliva
- Nausea