Best Treatment For Sleep Apnea
Anyone who displays one or more of the sleep apnea symptoms described below should contact Sleep Study Clinic Los Angeles to schedule an appointment with one of our sleep physicians. Our sleep physicians can examine and address the concerns about the symptoms being experienced and diagnose or rule out sleep apnea as a potential concern. If a physician diagnoses a person with sleep apnea, treatment for sleep apnea may vary and include CPAP therapy, which stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure to keep the airways open at night or may include a special dental device or other. The best treatment for sleep apnea is dependent on each individual’s cause and treatment options.
Determining the optimal treatment for sleep apnea hinges on several factors, including the severity of the condition, its root cause, and individual preferences. Here’s a rundown of common treatment options:
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Therapy: This involves wearing a mask connected to a machine that delivers a steady stream of air to keep the airway open during sleep. It’s considered the standard treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP) Therapy: Similar to CPAP, BiPAP therapy administers air at two pressure levels, facilitating inhalation and exhalation. It’s beneficial for those struggling with exhaling against CPAP pressure.
Automatic Positive Airway Pressure (APAP) Therapy: APAP machines automatically adjust air pressure based on breathing patterns throughout the night, offering a more tailored approach compared to fixed-pressure CPAP machines.
Oral Appliances: These custom-fitted dental devices, like mandibular advancement devices, reposition the jaw and tongue to keep the airway open during sleep. They’re recommended for mild to moderate OSA or those unable to tolerate CPAP.
Surgery: Surgical interventions like uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, or maxillomandibular advancement (MMA) surgery may be considered for severe OSA cases resistant to CPAP therapy.
Lifestyle Modifications: Weight loss, avoiding alcohol and sedatives before bed, sleeping on your side, and quitting smoking can mitigate sleep apnea symptoms, particularly in milder cases.
Positional Therapy: Devices or techniques may encourage sleeping in non-supine positions to prevent airway obstruction, especially for individuals with positional sleep apnea.
Addressing Underlying Conditions: Treating medical conditions contributing to sleep apnea, such as allergies, nasal congestion, or hormonal imbalances, can alleviate symptoms.
Selecting the most suitable treatment for sleep apnea should involve consultation with a healthcare professional, preferably a sleep specialist. They’ll evaluate your condition’s severity, discuss available options, and customize a treatment plan to align with your specific needs and preferences. Consistent follow-up and adherence to treatment are vital for effectively managing sleep apnea.
Treatment for sleep apnea without CPAP
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Oral Appliances: Custom-made mouthpieces like mandibular advancement devices (MADs) can be worn during sleep to reposition the jaw and tongue, preventing airway collapse.
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Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP) Therapy: BiPAP machines adjust air pressure levels, offering higher pressure during inhalation and lower pressure during exhalation, which can be more comfortable than CPAP for some individuals.
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Automatic Positive Airway Pressure (APAP) Therapy: APAP machines automatically adjust pressure based on breathing patterns throughout the night, providing a flexible treatment option.
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Positional Therapy: Techniques or devices can encourage sleeping in positions that prevent airway obstruction, particularly beneficial for positional sleep apnea.
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Lifestyle Adjustments: Weight loss, avoiding alcohol and sedatives before bedtime, quitting smoking, and changing sleep positions can all help alleviate symptoms, especially in mild cases.
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Surgery: Surgical procedures such as uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), tonsillectomy, or maxillomandibular advancement (MMA) surgery may be considered for severe cases or when other treatments aren’t effective.
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Nasal Expiratory Positive Airway Pressure (EPAP) Devices: These small devices placed over the nostrils use exhalation pressure to keep the airway open, ideal for those who find CPAP uncomfortable.
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Inspire Therapy: A surgically implanted device stimulates the hypoglossal nerve to maintain airway openness during sleep, recommended for moderate to severe cases intolerant to CPAP.
CPAP Machine
CPAP therapy works by the application of a face or nasal mask while a person sleeps. Air is pumped through the mask in order to keep the airway open and the body breathing as normal. The dental device works to keep the tongue from blocking the airways and to adjust the mouth so the airways remain open during the night. Surgical treatment including the removal of the adenoids and tonsils for the treatment of sleep apnea symptoms is also an option for patients who are good candidates for surgery.
Sleep Apnea Symptoms
If you suffer from sleep apnea, you may experience one or more sleep apnea symptoms like snoring loud enough to disturb yourself or others out of sleep, waking up choking and gasping for air, regularly waking with a dry mouth or sore throat, morning headaches, excessive daytime drowsiness, attention problems, and irritability. If you experience one or more of these symptoms and you think it may be related to sleep apnea, speak to a doctor about treatment options. Sleep Study Clinic Los Angeles Our Beverly Hills office and sleep physicians are very knowledgeable in the treatment and therapy options for sleep disorders like sleep apnea.
Our sleep physicians are accomplished and respected members of the medical community, and everyone on our staff is as helpful as they are friendly. For more information on diagnosing or treating sleep apnea, call or visit Sleep Study Clinic Los Angeles today.