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Written by Fred McConnell
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When treating sleep apnea you’ll find that doctors all agree that a positive airflow is the effective choice. First you must get an accurate diagnosis that you indeed have sleep apnea by undergoing a study in a “sleep lab”. This will give you a 100% diagnosis and then your doctor can assess the best treatment for you. It’s important to know that there are different categories of sleep apnea. Some are very mild while others require a more aggressive form of treatment.
What is Sleep Apnea?A sleep disorder that disrupts your breathing during your sleep; and although most people with sleep apnea will experience choking and struggling for breathe during the night, individuals still do not know they might have this disorder. Under most circumstances the significant other is so exasperated over the continuous snoring that they ask the individual to see a doctor.
Mild occurrences of sleep apnea may only require a few everyday changes to your lifestyle. You may experience this problem because of medicines, allergies or perhaps the way you sleep. A change to your environment may produce a restful night. Losing weight and more exercise may provide quick relief but it’s important to make note of the changes you make and how they affect your choice of treatment.
Signs of the DisorderThere isn’t just one sign of this disorder that will lead you to a sure fire diagnosis however if you notice several signs or you know that you’ve stopped breathing during the night you should consult a doctor.
- Choking or gasping for air during the night
- Loud snoring episodes
- Interrupted breathing during the night
- Morning headaches
Many people choose the doctor’s first treatment option of a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure). It consists of a mask fitted over the individual’s nose and forces the airway to remain open. This can eliminate most snoring episodes. While this treatment is effective, most patients do not remain with this course of treatment because it can be uncomfortable to sleep with. The noisy machine and continuous blast of air in your face is more of a sleep inhibitor than a treatment, most would say. And while doctors and researchers have developed variations of the CPAP machine and mask, patients still complain of the uncomfortable fit and more likely will stop using this treatment.
The second most widely used option is surgery; there are several surgical options and although costly and may not even be permanent; patients opt for this sleep apnea treatment over the CPAP.
- Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP): tissue is removed from the rear of your throat. Your tonsils usually are removed too. While this option may do well in stopping your throat from vibrating and causing you to snore, it may be less successful in treating sleep apnea. The tissue located farther down your throat may still block your air. According to the American Sleep Disorders Association, Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty surgery has a favorable success rate with those suffering from sleep apnea.
- Maxillomandibular Advancement: an orthodontist or oral surgeon will move the lower jaw forward to enlarge the area behind your tongue and soft palate. This will decrease obstructions and the snoring you’re experiencing.
- Tracheostomy: many people find that sleep apnea is life threatening. Air passages are blocked causing them to lose consciousness and perhaps even suffocate in their sleep. A tracheostomy is a last resort effort when other treatments have failed. A surgeon inserts a tube in your neck and you’ll depend on this to breathe. When the tube is uncovered it will allow air directly into your lungs and bypass your throat.
There is also nasal surgery and removal of enlarged tonsils to help eliminate your sleep apnea. At times there will be several methods of treatment that you’ll need to include to cure your sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea can also be treated with dental devices. A tongue retaining device (TRD) holds the tongue in a forward position to keep the nasal passages unobstructed. According to the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA), the TRD can significantly improve sleep apnea.
It can be difficult to recognize you have a problem, especially if you’re not aware of what is happening while you sleep. But sleep apnea can be dangerous; many times your primary doctor won’t recognize a sign. If you believe you have a problem seek medical attention and question your doctor until you’re satisfied and sure you’ve got a clean bill of health. |
