Treatments for Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea can affect anyone. It is a sleep disorder that is associated with an individual lack of sleep. The patient, at most times, fails to recognize its first signs, but the partner does. Symptoms like snoring, frequent urination at night, headaches, excessive sweating, and dry mouth call for the following listed treatment.

1. Conservative Treatment

It is a type of treatment used for patients with mild obstructive apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs during airway blockage while sleeping. Increased pressure to open the airway breathing resumes with a loud gasp which reduces oxygen flow. Patients suffering from this disorder receive these therapist sessions.

Sessions to lose weight benefit overweight patients. It’s much easier to lose weight with treated obstructive sleep apnea. Patients with heavyweights often have increased appetite and metabolism changes. Avoid the use of alcohol and sleeping pills which many use as a sleep provider. Lack of its use helps in treating obstructive sleep apnea. Airway collapses during a patient’s sleeping time, thereby prolonging apneic periods.

Another way is the use of sleep pillows. Some patients may experience pauses in breathing when they sleep on their backs. Due to this, the use of wedge pillows helps in sleeping inside position, which aids in treating mild obstructive apnea. Patients with sinus problems use nasal sprays and aids in reducing snoring which improves airflow.

There are different types of pillows that you can choose from. If you’re a back sleeper, a higher loft pillow is better for you. On the other hand, side sleepers need lower loft pillows. Pillows also come in various materials, such as cotton, down, feather, memory foam, latex, and buckwheat hulls.

A buckwheat-filled mediation cushion can make you healthier because it provides good body support and comfort during prayer, meditation, or yoga. These activities can also help promote a more relaxing sleep since they help cast away stress and anxiety that cause sleep issues. Learn more about meditation cushions at www.pinetales.com and other similar websites.

2. Mechanical Therapy

In this type of therapy, patients wear masks over the nose and mouth to treat obstructive sleep apnea. Adjusting to the air pressure helps in forcing the air into the mouth. This adjustment helps in preventing the airway tissues from collapsing while sleeping. There is the use of specific positive airway pressure aids in the particular needs of the patients.

Continuous positive airway pressure is the first used in which the machine sets at one single pressure. The next is Bi-level PAP, in which there is the use of one force in inhalation and lower pressure in exhalation. Failure of continuous PAP recommends this type of pressure device. Auto Continuous positive Airway pressure usage depends on the requirements of pressure being affected by the machine.

Adaptive Servo-ventilation use comes with patients suffering from central sleep apnea. It keeps the airway open while giving the required amount of breath when needed.

3. Surgery

Patients suffering from obstructive sleep apnea may undergo surgical procedures. Others include those who snore but do not typically suffer from sleep apnea. Malformed tissue that obstructs airflow through the nose or throat requires undergoing surgical procedures. Failure of conservative measures and some tried sessions of CPAP recommend surgical procedures.

Different types of surgery conducted to treat sleep apnea include. Tonsillectomy is a procedure to remove tonsillar tissue that acts as the leading cause of airflow in children. Somnoplasty is another surgery type that involves the use of radiofrequency energy to open the upper airway. Nasal surgery involves correcting nasal obstructions that block the air passage.

Maxillary advancement surgery corrects throat obstructions that cause sleep apnea. It is a treatment method highly recommended by patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea. Based on patients’ different preferences and tastes, the technique facilitates its use by people of all ages.

4. Mandibular Advancement Devices

Patients suffering from mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea often undergo this type of treatment. Mandibular advancement devices facilitate movement of the lower jaw forward, which helps prevent the tongue from blocking the throat. The airway is, in turn, kept open during sleep. The air passage facilitates proper rest, which prevents snoring.

It is a type of oral appliance that aids in uninterrupted sleep. The devices fit specific patient mouths and are not suitable for people with dental issues. Mandibular Advancement devices help in the treatment of snoring while sleeping. Although it is associated with causing discomfort around the jaw and gum irritation, it is a solution to treating sleep apnea.

5. Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulator

In this type of treatment, to turn on the device while at sleep requires a remote. Electrodes are used to implant the hypoglossal nerve stimulator at the right side of the chest. The forward movement of the tongue facilitates air passage.

The hypoglossal nerve stimulator works when the tongue retracts at the back of the throat during sleep, obstructing the oxygen from passing through the airway. This device stimulates the hypoglossal nerve in a synchronized manner with the sleeper’s breathing to help clear the airway or keep it unobstructed during sleep.

Not all patients are qualified to use a hypoglossal stimulator, such as those with central or mixed apnea. As this is only for those with obstructed sleep apnea. Once this device gets implanted in the patient; the doctor then configures the settings. The patient has a sleep remote to use to turn on the hypoglossal nerve stimulator before going to sleep. The patient can also adjust its stimulation within the doctor’s recommended range.

Conclusion

Untreated sleep problems can have adverse effects on the health of an individual. Sleep apnea symptoms may be a clear indicator to seek proper treatment. Based on your type of sleep apnea, specialists will recommend the best treatment method.