Methods of Sleep Apnea Treatment

Sleep apnea is a condition that can become dangerous for an individual’s health if it goes unnoticed, but luckily there are many methods of sleep apnea treatment available to help individuals who have this disorder.  Individuals who seek sleep apnea treatment generally suffer from five or more apneic episodes on any given night.  During these episodes an individual experiences a pause in breathing that lasts a minimum of ten seconds accompanied by a 3-4% blood desaturation.  There are three types of sleep apnea; central, obstructive, and complex but treatment is available for all types.

What is the Best Sleep Apnea Treatment?

Fortunately, there are a variety of methods of sleep apnea treatment, many of which can be utilized by patients at home.  Treatment for sleep disorders such as sleep apnea frequently come in the form of sleep apnea devices that are worn while an individual sleeps.  The sleep apnea treatment that is used most commonly is the continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP, device.  This device takes the form of a sleep apnea mask which covers the patient’s nose and mouth, delivering a constant stream of pressurized air.  The CPAP sleep apnea machine only helps a patient with inhaling – a bilevel positive airway pressure, or BiPAP, machine is needed for severe cases which require assistance for both inhalation and exhalation.

Another form of sleep apnea treatment is the sleep apnea pillow which takes a special shape to encourage patients to sleep on their sides rather than on their backs.  This method of sleep apnea treatment is particularly effective for mild cases of obstructive sleep apnea.  Also common for obstructive sleep apnea treatment is the sleep apnea mouthpiece which shifts the patient’s lower jaw forward, opening the airway.  This treatment is often referred to as Oral Appliance Therapy, or OAT, and is also an effective way to stop snoring.

Surgery as a Sleep Apnea Treatment

While these methods of sleep apnea treatment are frequently successful, some cases of sleep apnea require surgical treatment.  A surgeon is able to physically alter the patient’s airway in a variety of ways in order to improve breathing.  This type of sleep apnea treatment must be personalized to fit the patient’s specific needs but targets for alteration include the throat, nasal passages, the base of the tongue, or even the facial skeleton.  Sometimes it is possible to shrink problem tissue in the throat or mouth by using injections.

In addition to these methods of sleep apnea treatment, there are some non-traditional treatments that some believe to be valuable in cases of both sleep apnea and chronic snoring.  A study in the British Medical Journal suggests that playing the didgeridoo helps to strengthen the upper airway muscles, thus reducing the occurrence of apneic episodes.  A doctor in Scotland claims that special singing exercises which tone the throat muscles can also be a good method of sleep apnea treatment.  With all of these options available to choose from, individuals who suffer from sleep apnea can achieve relief and drastically reduce or even eliminate the frequency of apneic episodes affecting their sleep.