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.
Should I see a doctor if I think I have sleep apnea?
See a GP if: You have any of the main symptoms of sleep apnoea: your breathing stops and starts while you sleep. you make gasping, snorting or choking noises while you sleep. you always feel very tired during the day.
How can I fix my sleep apnea myself?
TreatmentLose weight if you're overweight.Exercise regularly.Drink alcohol moderately, if at all. Don't drink in the hours before bedtime.Quit smoking.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.
Can sleep apnea be cured permanently?
The term 'cure' evokes the idea of a final resolution of a health problem, but when it comes to sleep apnea, 'cure' is relative. This is because sleep apnea is a lifetime condition and therefore you cannot get rid of it permanently. You can, however, reduce the symptoms like snoring and other associated problems.
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 are 4 symptoms of sleep apnea?
SymptomsLoud snoring.Episodes in which you stop breathing during sleep — which would be reported by another person.Gasping for air during sleep.Awakening with a dry mouth.Morning headache.Difficulty staying asleep (insomnia)Excessive daytime sleepiness (hypersomnia)Difficulty paying attention while awake.More items...•
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.
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.
What is a sleep doctor specialist called?
The formal name for a sleep doctor is “somnologist” – from the root 'somnus', meaning sleep. American Sleep Association – Providing information about Dr. Sleep since 2002. Visit the ASA Ask the Sleep Doctor Section to find out more about sleep doctors, sleep psychologists, sleep dentists and other sleep specialists.
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.
Is there an alternative to a CPAP machine?
If CPAP isn't for you, a few other OSA treatment options include: an oral appliance. bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) nasal valve therapy.
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 name of the device that repositions the mandible forward relative to the maxilla?
They are also called mandibular advancing devices (MAD) and mandibular repositioning devices (MRD), as they reposition the mandible forward relative to the maxilla (the upper jaw). There are several Sleep Apnea Oral Appliances that are FDA approved.
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.
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 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.
How does continuous positive airway pressure work?
It works by delivering room air through a mask in the nose and/or mouth to keep the airway open - like an 'air splint'. It is considered very safe with few side effects.
What are mouth guards made of?
Some are made of soft nylon plastic, others are made from a resin-like material. A few use computer aided design (CAD) and 3D imaging to fit the device to the mouth and teeth. They essentially work as an airway splint. Variety or sleep apnea oral mouth guards devices.
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.
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, ...
Why is my CPAP mask clunky?
The mask is attached to a machine that gently blows air into the airways to keep them open. CPAP is an effective treatment, but it can also be clunky. Discomfort is one reason why up to 83% of people who try CPAP don't stick with the treatment. CPAP uses the same level of pressure when you inhale and exhale.
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.
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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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.
Does Stacey Layman use CPAP?
Dr. Stacey Layman uses CPAP alternative techniques to address obstructive sleep apnea. No more clunky hardware that makes sleeping a challenge. We offer a comfortable solution that is ideal for sleep apnea patients who have difficulty using CPAP.
Can you get a dental appliance for sleep apnea?
If you have already been diagnosed with sleep apnea and are currently on CPAP therapy, you may be a candidate for a dental appliance. Most patients who are diagnosed with snoring, mild or moderate sleep apnea are able to receive treatment with oral appliance therapy. For those who have severe sleep apnea, co- therapy may be an option ...
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