where to get sleep apnea treatment

Which type of doctor is best for sleep apnea?

Pulmonologists (Breathing/Lung Doctors) Pulmonologists are medical specialists that focus on the health of the respiratory system. These physicians are very familiar with sleep disorders, including OSA, and manage other diseases such as COPD, asthma, and other breathing disorders that may be related to sleep apnea.

Where do I go if I think I have sleep apnea?

If you suspect that you have sleep apnea, the usual first step is to discuss your suspicions with your primary care physician. If you don't have a primary care physician, you can go directly to a clinician who is a sleep specialist. But check your health care insurance coverage first.

Can I treat myself for sleep apnea?

Home remedies, such as healthful lifestyle changes and elevating the head at night, may help reduce episodes of apnea. However, if a person has moderate or severe sleep apnea, they should see a doctor. They will probably need to wear a CPAP device to support their breathing.

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.

Can a dentist diagnose sleep apnea?

Along with helping you to maintain healthy, strong teeth and gums, your dentist is able to diagnose sleep apnea.

Does sleep apnea reduce life expectancy?

Risks of obstructive sleep apnea Sleep apnea is dangerous because if untreated, it leads to high blood pressure and is associated with an increased chance of heart attack, abnormal heart rhythms and heart failure. Studies have shown that sleep apnea can decrease life expectancy by several years.

What can happen if sleep apnea goes untreated?

If left untreated, sleep apnea can result in a number of health problems including hypertension, stroke, arrhythmias, cardiomyopathy (enlargement of the muscle tissue of the heart), heart failure, diabetes, obesity and heart attacks.

How do I get rid of sleep apnea without CPAP?

5 Sleep Apnea Treatment OptionsOral 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 Surgery. In some cases, genetics can be the cause of sleep apnea. ... Weight Loss. ... Positional Therapy. ... Inspire Therapy.

Can you suffocate from sleep apnea?

“Sleep apnea can directly cause death by a person's breathing being infrequent enough to create immediate tissue ischemia (tissue death from lack of oxygen) in the heart and/or brain, resulting in a fatal heart attack or stroke,” Jenna Liphart Rhoads, R.N., Ph.

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.

How long will it take to reverse damage from sleep apnea?

Treating sleep apnea may reverse the brain damage it caused. “According to the study, three months of CPAP machine usage resulted in only limited improvements to damaged brain structures. However, 12 months of use led to an almost complete reversal of white matter abnormalities,” Smith says.

What are the 3 types of sleep apnea?

There are three types of sleep apnea: obstructive, central, and mixed. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the most common, is caused by a blockage of the airway during sleep.

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 the best appliance for sleep apnea?

In some cases, a dental appliance may be effective in treating mild to moderate sleep apnea. There are two main types of dental appliances for sleep apnea including a mandibular advancement device and a tongue retaining device.

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a medical condition that involves brief pauses in breathing while you are sleeping. Although the pauses usually only last a few seconds, the condition can have several adverse effects on the body. There are a few different types of sleep apnea with obstructive sleep apnea being the most common.

Why do you need a CPAP machine?

The pressure helps keep your airway passages open while you sleep. Because your airway remains open, it prevents pauses in breathing.

How does sleep apnea work?

In general, the sleep apnea devices that available for the treatment of sleep apnea work by keeping upper airway open - and preventing it from closing during sleep. Some sleep apnea devices use anatomic positioning. Others use air pressure. Newer technologies are utilizing electrical impulses.

What is a mandibular advancement device?

A mandibular advancement device (MADs) is worn similar to a sports mouth guard. But it’s worn only while you sleep. The device works by pushing the jaw forward to keep the upper airway open. A tongue retaining device is also a mouthpiece, but it has a small piece that fits around the tongue.

Can sleep apnea be treated with CPAP?

Sleep Apnea Surgery. In some instances, surgery for sleep apnea may be a treatment option if CPAP or other treatments are ineffective or not tolerated. The type of surgical procedure may vary based on a person’s individual anatomy and problems contributing to sleep apnea.

Is sleep apnea a medical condition?

Sleep apnea is associated with an increased risk of certain medical conditions. According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, people with sleep apnea have an increased risk of a stroke, heart attack and diabetes. It’s pretty clear, if you have sleep apnea, you should get treatment.

What is the treatment for sleep apnea?

These inserts stiffen and support the tissue of the soft palate and reduce upper airway collapse and snoring. This treatment is recommended only for people with mild obstructive sleep apnea.

How to get rid of obstructive sleep apnea?

For milder cases of obstructive sleep apnea, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes: Lose weight if you're overweight. Exercise regularly. Drink alcohol moderately, if at all, and don't drink several hours before bedtime. Quit smoking. Use a nasal decongestant or allergy medications. Don't sleep on your back.

How to stop snoring while sleeping?

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.

Why is CPAP used?

CPAP is more commonly used because it's been well studied for obstructive sleep apnea and has been shown to effectively treat obstructive sleep apnea . However, for people who have difficulty tolerating fixed CPAP, BPAP or APAP might be worth a try.

What tests are used to detect obstructive sleep apnea?

Tests to detect obstructive sleep apnea include: Polysomnography. During this sleep study, 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.

What is a CPAP mask?

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) masks and headgear come in many styles and sizes to comfortably treat your sleep apnea. Everyone has different needs, preferences and face shapes, and sometimes you will need to try different mask styles before you find the one that works the best for you.

How to get rid of apnea in the back?

Use a nasal decongestant or allergy medications. Don't sleep on your back. Avoid taking sedative medications such as anti-anxiety drugs or sleeping pills. If these measures don't improve your sleep or if your apnea is moderate to severe, then your doctor may recommend other treatments.

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.

How to get rid of sleep apnea?

Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. Consistent sleep cycles will increase the efficacy of your sleep apnea treatment. You can further support healthy sleep by engaging in physical activities. Studies have proven that regular physical exertion improves sleep.

What is the best position to sleep for sleep apnea?

The position in which you sleep can also make a significant difference in the success of your sleep apnea treatment. Sleeping on your side is the recommended position as it keeps your throat more open. However, some patients say that using a recliner to fall asleep upright is more comfortable.

What is the primary test for sleep disorders?

They will then perform a physical exam and conduct tests to evaluate your sleep patterns. The primary test is a polysomnogram. Polysomnogram is the standard test used for diagnosing sleep disorders. It involves an overnight sleep study that tracks brain activity, heart rate, blood pressure, blood oxygen, air movement, and snoring.

Does CPAP require insurance?

Direct pay or financing are two options that do not require insurance. Some organizations assist with sleep apnea treatment for uninsured patients, helping them find free or discounted CPAP devices.

Does smoking cause sleep apnea?

Both of these lifestyle aspects have the potential to make your sleep apnea worse.

Is sleep apnea a health problem?

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is important for everyone. But it becomes even more critical for those with serious health disorders like sleep apnea. Untreated sleep apnea can dramatically reduce your quality of life and even become life-threatening.

Is it safe to buy a used CPAP machine?

If you are considering buying a used CPAP machine, there are some risks that you should be aware of. Take care to ensure that the device has all the features required for your sleep apnea symptoms. A used CPAP machine can also carry contaminants from improper cleaning by the previous owner.

How to stop snoring when you don't have sleep apnea?

Quit Smoking. Smoking increases inflammation and swelling in the upper airway, making symptoms of sleep apnea worse. Putting an end to cigarettes can relieve sleep apnea symptoms and also help you to stop snoring if you don’t have sleep apnea.

What causes sleep apnea?

To treat sleep apnea, or to get rid of it for good, you’ll need to get down to the root cause. Some causes of sleep apnea include: 1 Weight - Being overweight or obese is a common cause. The extra tissue in the upper airway and around the neck can obstruct your airway, keeping you from breathing during sleep. 2 Sleep Position - Some people only have periods of apnea while sleeping on their backs (known as positional obstructive sleep apnea). 3 Anatomy - Sometimes your anatomy can be the cause of your sleep apnea. This could be from large tonsils that narrow the upper airway or a deviated septum, for example. 4 Alcohol - Alcohol can relax muscles and tissues that can block the airway. 5 Smoking - Smoking can cause inflammation in the airway, contributing to sleep apnea. 6 Medication - Certain medications (such as opioids) may also play a role in causing sleep apnea.

Why do CPAP machines work?

The reason CPAP machines work so well is that generally, it is soft tissues in the neck, throat, and upper airway, along with the tongue, that relax during sleep and obstruct the airway. This obstruction is what causes you to stop breathing for several seconds or minutes while you’re asleep. This type of sleep apnea is known as obstructive sleep ...

What is a CPAP machine?

CPAP, which stands for continuous positive airway pressure, is a machine that hooks to a hose and mask and is worn over the nose (and sometimes the mouth) during sleep . The continuous pressure from the machine works to hold open your airway during sleep, allowing air to flow freely to prevent periods of apnea.

Can you use a CPAP machine for sleep apnea?

In the meantime, since weight loss isn’t immediate, you may need other treatment for sleep apnea such as a CPAP machine. If you are using a CPAP machine and are losing weight, it’s possible that you need a different size mask or CPAP pressure, so talk with your healthcare provider about this.

Can weight loss help with sleep apnea?

If you have sleep apnea and are overweight or obese, losing weight can help improve and even reverse your sleep apnea if you can achieve and maintain a healthy weight. In the meantime, since weight loss isn’t immediate, you may need other treatment for sleep apnea such as a CPAP machine.

Can you get sleep apnea without a CPAP?

Sleep Apnea Treatments Without CPAP. While CPAP is a helpful method that can aid in reducing sleep apnea symptoms, there are other sleep apnea treatments without CPAP therapy. Here are a few suggestions on how to get rid of sleep apnea with other treatments.

How to cure sleep apnea?

Losing enough weight can sometimes cure the condition. Quitting smoking. Tobacco smoke can cause the airways to swell, worsening sleep apnea. Not drinking alcohol. Drinking before bedtime can cause the muscles in the upper airways to relax, making the tissue droop down into the airway. Side sleeping.

How many people have sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a disorder that affects over 18 million adults in the U.S., according to the National Sleep Foundation. The most common treatment recommended for this condition, which can range from mild to severe, is the CPAP machine. But because it can be bulky, loud, and uncomfortable to wear, most patients don't stick with it.

What is CPAP treatment?

CPAP treatment. Short for continuous positive airway pressure, CPAP is a common treatment for moderate-to-severe sleep apnea (although research suggests it may be helpful for people with mild sleep apnea, too). It consists of a mask worn over the mouth and nose during sleep. Some people can use a mask that only covers the nose mask, ...

What is the most common form of sleep apnea?

In the most common form, obstructive sleep apnea, the throat muscles relax, letting the tissue in the back of the throat droop down and obstruct the airway. In addition to causing daytime sleepiness, sleep apnea is linked to a number of adverse health conditions.

What is a uvulopalatopharyngoplasty?

Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty removes tissue from the upper part of the mouth and the back of the throat. Sometimes, doctors remove large tonsils and adenoids, to create more room for air to flow. Some patients, however, may still need CPAP treatment after the procedure.

Does weight loss help sleep apnea?

One way that weight loss results may help people breathe more easily at night is by shrinking tongue fat, researchers have found. Losing enough weight can sometimes cure the condition.

Is nasal surgery covered by insurance?

The procedure is expensive and may not be covered by insurance. Nasal surgery can be performed to correct a deviated septum – an improperly aligned wall between the nasal passages that makes the opening to one air passage smaller than the other. Mandibular or maxillary advancement.

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.

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• In many cases, self-care may be the most appropriate way for you to deal with obstructive sleep apnea. Try these tips: 1. Lose weight.If you're overweight or obese, even a moderate loss of excess weight may help relieve constriction of your airway. Losing weight can also improve your health and quality of life and might reduce your daytime sleepine...

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• Medicare provides reimbursement for oral appliances for those 65 or older under the durable medical equipment (DME) benefit. In order to help Medicare patients with a portion of the reimbursement for oral appliances, many dentists around the country have enrolled as Medicare DME Suppliers for oral appliance therapy for obstructive sleep apnea.

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