Treatment FAQ

what is the most effective treatment for sleep apnea

by Genesis Ritchie Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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CPAP is considered the most effective OSA treatment, but many people prescribed CPAP do not use it as often as they should. CPAP therapy is less effective at treating central sleep apnea.Apr 19, 2022

Procedures

Surgical Treatments for Sleep Apnea

  • Tissue Removal or Shrinkage. Radiofrequency Tissue Reduction: Using a newer surgical technique called radiofrequency surgery 20, surgeons remove tissue blocking the airway with a high-frequency current.
  • Jaw Repositioning. ...
  • Nasal Surgeries. ...
  • Nerve Stimulation. ...

Self-care

The following are the most natural way of preventing this disorder:

  • Sleep on your side – It has been found that those who snore generally sleep on their back. ...
  • Elevate your head – You can prop your upper body by using pillows in order to allow oxygen to go through your airways.
  • Exercise for throat and tongue – There is an exercise for the throat and tongue which strengthens them. ...

More items...

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Top 20 Home Remedies for Sleep Apnea and the Ultimate Guide to A Good Sleep

  • Introduction. In this article, Authority Remedies will shed light on top 20 natural home remedies for sleep apnea.
  • Sleep Apnea Symptoms. Sleep apnea can bring a lot of symptoms, most of which are annoying. ...
  • Home Remedies for Sleep Apnea. ...

What are the most effective treatments for sleep apnea?

Mild sleep apnea: Your AHI is between 5 and 15. Moderate sleep apnea: Your AHI is between 15-30. Severe sleep apnea: Your AHI is greater than 30.

How to cure sleep apnea naturally at home without CPAP?

Is it possible to treat sleep apnea naturally?

What is considered mild to moderate sleep apnea?

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What is the newest treatment for sleep apnea?

The new treatment - known as Inspire Upper Airway Stimulation (UAS) therapy - offers the first implantable device for treating obstructive sleep apnea. The therapy works from inside the body and with the patient's natural breathing process.

How can I permanently fix sleep apnea?

It's not officially a cure for sleep apnea – in fact, nothing is – but losing weight is almost always the first piece of advice given to those with signs of sleep apnea such as drowsiness, fatigue, snoring, and so on.

What is the best alternative to a CPAP machine?

BiPAP, or BiLevel PAP therapy, works in a similar manner as CPAP. Instead of one single pressure, BiPAP uses two pressures – an inhale pressure and a lower exhale pressure. BiPAP is often used as an alternative to CPAP for sleep apnea when patients also present with lung issues, like COPD.

Is there a way to treat sleep apnea without a CPAP?

1. Oral Appliances. Just as there are dental professionals who specialize in orthodontics or dental implants, there are also those who can help with sleep apnea. Oral appliances such as mouthguards can help hold the tongue in place or ease the jaw forward, helping to keep the airway free and open.

What worsens sleep apnea?

Congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and Parkinson's disease are some of the conditions that may increase the risk of obstructive sleep apnea. Polycystic ovary syndrome, hormonal disorders, prior stroke and chronic lung diseases such as asthma also can increase risk.

How long can you live with severe sleep apnea?

If left untreated, obstructive sleep apnea can shorten your life from anywhere between 12-15 years.

Is BiPAP better than CPAP?

The most common PAP treatment is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), but bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP) is a better option for some people....What Is the Difference Between CPAP and BiPAP Machines?CPAPBiPAPTypical Pressure Range4 to 20 cm H2O4 to 25 cm H2O4 more rows•Apr 8, 2022

Do Breathe Right strips help sleep apnea?

Side Effects of Breathe Right Strips Though nasal dilator strips may improve snoring, they do not treat sleep apnea. Using the strips to reduce symptoms may give a false sense of confidence in the effectiveness of the therapy.

What is inspire sleep apnea treatment?

The Inspire device is a surgical implant that monitors your breathing while you sleep and opens your airway. Inspire sleep apnea treatment is for those with moderate sleep apnea who are 22 years or older and fall in the Body Mass Index range for their height and weight. You control the device with a handheld remote.

What is the best sleep position for sleep apnea?

Sleeping on the left side It's by far the most effective sleep position to help control sleep apnea. It's considered to encourage blood flow, reduce snoring and calm sleep apnea. In fact, research points out that left side-sleepers experience less severe sleep apnea occurrences.

Can a pillow help with sleep apnea?

A good pillow can help improve comfort for sleep apnea patients while also reducing the risk of face mask air leaks. Some pillow designs feature indents for CPAP masks and hoses, and others are crafted to keep sleepers comfortable on their backs.

How do I open my sleep airway?

Elevate the head of your bed by four to six inches, or elevate your body from the waist up by using a foam wedge or special cervical pillow. Open your nasal passages at night by using a nasal dilator, saline spray, breathing strips, or a nasal irrigation system (neti pot).

Therapy Treatments for Sleep Apnea

Multiple non-invasive treatment options for sleep apnea exist, some of which are more effective than others. Non-surgical options fall into two categories: positive airway pressure (PAP) devices and oral appliances.

Surgical Treatments for Sleep Apnea

When non-invasive devices fail to adequately treat sleep apnea, a sleep specialist may recommend surgery to help prevent lapses in breathing during sleep. The type of surgery a person might undergo depends on their unique anatomy and what is causing their breathing issues.

Lifestyle Changes to Treat Sleep Apnea

Multiple lifestyle factors may be able to reduce severity of OSA symptoms.

How to Pick The Right Sleep Apnea Treatment For You

Usually, a person’s sleep specialist determines which sleep apnea treatment is best for them based on their unique symptoms and health situation. Along with treatment of any underlying health conditions, a CPAP machine is usually the first treatment prescribed for sleep apnea.

Talking With Your Doctor About Sleep Apnea Treatment Options

Once your sleep specialist gives you a sleep apnea diagnosis, they will outline their plan for your treatment.

What is central sleep apnea?

Central sleep apnea is a neurological condition —in other words, the brain is not sending the correct signals to the respiratory system to keep breathing while the patient sleeps. Sometimes another medical condition causes CSA; sometimes, pain medication can lead to it; and sometimes, the apnea occurs for no known reason.

Does codeine cause sleep apnea?

Studies have proved that more powerful pain medications such as morphine, codeine and oxycodone can cause central sleep apnea. Reducing the dosage or not taking them altogether can help, but discussing this option with your doctor and with a sleep specialist is important.

Can CSA cause snoring?

CSA patients might not snore, may be at their ideal weight, and may have not had a history of sleep disorders yet still find themselves with the condition characterized by pauses in breathing many times during the night. Central sleep apnea is a neurological condition—in other words, the brain is not sending the correct signals to ...

Can a stroke cause central sleep apnea?

Treating the medical condition that is also causing central sleep apnea. Congestive heart failure or the aftermath of a stroke can interfere with night-time breathing and lead to CSA. The solution here is simple: Treat the heart failure or the stroke and the apnea will likely subside.

What to do if you have sleep apnea?

For milder cases of sleep apnea, your doctor may recommend only lifestyle changes, such as losing weight or quitting smoking. If you have nasal allergies, your doctor will recommend treatment for your allergies.

How to stop snoring and sleep apnea?

To eliminate snoring and prevent sleep apnea, your doctor may recommend a device called a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. A CPAP machine delivers just enough air pressure to a mask to keep your upper airway passages open, preventing snoring and sleep apnea.

What is a CPAP machine?

With CPAP (SEE-pap), the air pressure is somewhat greater than that of the surrounding air and is just enough to keep your upper airway passages open , preventing apnea and snoring .

What causes central sleep apnea?

Possible causes of central sleep apnea include heart or neuromuscular disorders , and treating those conditions might help. Supplemental oxygen. Using supplemental oxygen while you sleep might help if you have central sleep apnea. Various forms of oxygen are available with devices to deliver oxygen to your lungs.

What tests are done to detect sleep apnea?

Tests to detect sleep apnea include: Nocturnal polysomnography. During this test, you're hooked up to equipment that monitors your heart, lung and brain activity, breathing patterns, arm and leg movements, and blood oxygen levels while you sleep. Home sleep tests.

What is the purpose of a nasal pillow?

Nasal pillows fit at the nares to supply air pressure. The mask covering the nose supplies air pressure. The mask covering the nose and mouth supplies air pressure. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) masks and headgear come in many styles and sizes to comfortably treat your sleep apnea.

What is a sleep specialist?

You're likely to be referred to a sleep disorder center. There, a sleep specialist can help you determine your need for further evaluation. An evaluation often involves overnight monitoring at a sleep center of your breathing and other body functions during sleep. Home sleep testing also might be an option.

What is the best treatment for sleep apnea?

1. Positive Airway Pressure Devices. Positive airway pressure machines, used with a variety of breathing masks, are the most widely used treatment for moderate and severe sleep apnea. The mask, worn snugly over the nose, or sometimes nose and mouth, during sleep, supplies pressurized air that flows continuously or intermittently into ...

What is the most common surgery for sleep apnea?

The most common is uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, or UPPP. The success rate of this operation is about 50 percent.

How many people with sleep apnea are overweight?

About 70 percent of people with obstructive sleep apnea are overweight or obese. Their health care professionals usually encourage them to lose weight. Surprisingly, there have been few formal studies of how effectively weight loss leads to lesser snoring and diminished incidents of apnea and hypopnea during sleep.

How many oral appliances are FDA approved for sleep apnea?

Oral appliances for the treatment of sleep apnea continue to increase in popularity as awareness grows amongst the public that oral appliances are an effective first line treatment for many sleep apnea sufferers. Over 100 different oral appliances are FDA approved for the treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.

What is OAT in sleep medicine?

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) has approved oral appliance therapy (OAT) as a first line treatment for patients diagnosed with mild to moderate OSA. The AASM also recommends oral appliances for patients with severe OSA, who are unable to tolerate or cannot wear CPAP devices.

What is the name of the therapy that stimulates the breathing muscles?

Neuro-stimulation Therapy – Central Sleep Apnea. Implantable systems that stimulates a nerve in the chest (phrenic nerve) to send signals to the large muscle that controls breathing (the diaphragm). These signals stimulate breathing in the same way that the brain signals breathing.

Can you use CPAP for sleep apnea?

Some people with obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, are unable to use continuous pos itive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, the most commonly prescribed OSA treatment, despite best efforts. Now there are new, clinically tested therapies for some people with moderate to severe OSA. These new types of the rapy work inside your body.

Lifestyle Changes

Mayo Clinic notes that your doctor may recommend some alterations in your lifestyle to address the symptoms of mild sleep apnea.

Other Airway Pressure Devices

Some people require a different type of airway pressure machine to get relief from sleep apnea symptoms, according to Cleveland Clinic. Unlike a CPAP machine, which emits air at a single constant pressure, a bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP) machine emits increased pressure during inhalation and reduced pressure during exhalation.

Oral Appliances

An oral appliance may be another option for you if you’re unable to comply with CPAP therapy. Oral appliances come in a variety of forms, and the most popular option is a mandibular advancement device (MAD), which resembles a mouthguard. These devices keep the airway unobstructed during sleep by repositioning the lower jaw.

Surgery

Surgery is an option when other less-invasive methods like CPAP therapy have failed to bring relief, according to Mayo Clinic. However, for a small number of patients with particular structural jaw issues, it’s the first line of defense.

Think you may have a sleep disorder? Start your journey to more restful sleep TODAY

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How to help sleep apnea?

Studies have shown weight loss can help improve symptoms and, in some cases, eliminate the need for surgery or long-term CPAP therapy. Avoid alcohol and smoking – Both have been linked to sleep apnea in studies.

What is the most common type of sleep apnea?

Obstructive Sleep Apnea, the most common type, is mechanical problem in which the muscles in the throat relax during sleep causing the airway to collapse. Central Sleep Apnea is less common and occurs when the brain fails to sent the right signals to the muscles that control breathing. Complex Sleep Apnea is when you have symptoms ...

What is the difference between central sleep apnea and complex sleep apnea?

Central Sleep Apnea is less common and occurs when the brain fails to sent the right signals to the muscles that control breathing. Complex Sleep Apnea is when you have symptoms of both obstructive and central sleep apnea. More about sleep apnea.

What is CPAP for sleep?

CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) uses an air pump and face mask to apply mild air pressure which helps the airway stay open during sleep. It’s one of the most effective treatments for sleep apnea and can be a real life changer.

How long does it take to stop using a CPAP machine?

While CPAP is one of the most effective treatments for sleep apnea, many patients stop using their machines within a year. Good news, they’re now plenty of alternatives you can try.

What is the truth about sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a very common sleep disorder in which breathing stops or gets shallow during sleep. These breathing interruptions wreck sleep and in the US alone over 18 million adults struggle with sleep apnea every night.

How does a sleep monitor work?

During sleep, it monitors your breathing and stimulates a nerve that keeps the upper airway open.

What Is Surgery for Sleep Apnea?

There are many surgeries given to people with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and one for people with central sleep apnea (CSA).

Mouth, Throat, and Windpipe Surgeries

Multiple surgeries used to treat sleep apnea involve operating on parts of the mouth and throat, also called the pharynx. One surgery involves the windpipe, or trachea.

Tongue Surgeries

When the base of a person’s tongue contributes to OSA airway blockages, doctors might consider one of three tongue surgeries as potential treatments.

Nasal Surgeries

Since people commonly breathe through their noses during sleep, nasal surgeries can also help remove blockages associated with OSA. Nasal surgery for OSA is sometimes contested, since research studies of nasal surgeries 23 have produced mixed results.

Nerve Stimulation Surgeries

There are two nerve stimulation surgeries used to treat people with sleep apnea. Hypoglossal nerve stimulation, or upper airway stimulation, is primarily for those with OSA, and transvenous phrenic nerve stimulation is primarily for those with CSA.

Weight Loss Surgeries

Although weight loss surgeries are not direct treatments for sleep apnea, medical professionals sometimes recommend them to help manage OSA. In particular, weight loss surgeries are considered when a person has a body mass index (BMI) over 40, cannot lose weight on their own, and have tried other treatments that have not been successful.

How Does Sleep Apnea Surgery Compare to Other Treatments?

Comparing sleep apnea surgeries to other treatments is difficult. The gold standard treatment for sleep apnea is CPAP therapy. In general, healthcare professionals often prefer to try non-invasive therapies first, because of the potential risks attached to surgery.

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Diagnosis

Treatment

Clinical Trials

Lifestyle and Home Remedies

Medically reviewed by
Dr. Govind Desai
Your provider will work with you to develop a care plan that may include one or more of these treatment options.
Lifestyle modifications usually help. If unresolved, therapies and surgery will be advised.
Procedures

Septoplasty: Correction of deviated septum in nose. Usually recommended in severe cases.

Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP): Removal of soft tissue on throat to widen the airway passage.

Adenoidectomy: Removal of large adenoids, a patch of soft tissues behind the nose.

Self-care

Always talk to your provider before starting anything.

  • Lose weight
  • Avoid smoking
  • Sleep on your side

Specialist to consult

Pulmonologist
Specializes in diagnosing and treating conditions that affect the respiratory system.
Sleep medicine specialist
Specializes in treating sleep disorders.
Psychiatrist
Specializes in the branch of medicine concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness.
Dentist
Specializes in the treatment of diseases associated with teeth and gums.
Primary care physician
Specializes in the acute and chronic illnesses and provides preventive care and health.

Preparing For Your Appointment

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