Things to know about sleep apnea treatment

If you ask people to name the noise which annoys them the most, many will list it as snoring. The harsh, rasping sound disturbs people’s sleep and keeps them from resting peacefully. While in most cases, snoring is not a big concern in some people, it is a symptom of sleep apnea. For those who do not know, sleep apnea refers to a rest problem in which because of obstruction in the airway, the patient fails to sleep at night. Since the condition can lead to many health complications, it is vital to treat it soon. Here is what you should know about it!

What to know about sleep apnea treatment?

The necessity of sleep apnea treatments:

While sleep apnea can affect anyone, it is necessary to note that men are at a higher risk of developing this health problem compared to women. It is vital to cure this problem to prevent a litany of other problems that may result from OSA, including hypertension, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.

Conducting sleep study from home:

If the doctor suspects you have sleep apnea, he will recommend you take a sleep test. Until now, these tests could only be taken from the sleep lab. But, in recent years, new devices have been developed to help you take the exam from the comfort of your home. The equipment is easy to use and portable. The in-home test measures heart rate, saturation levels, respiratory effort, and airflow.

Improvements to CPAP machine:

A CPAP machine is the gold standard for sleep apnea treatment. The device uses a mask and pipe to deliver oxygen to your lungs to facilitate breathing. It is about the size of a tissue box and gently blows air through the tube into your airway. To ensure that the mask fits you properly and the right amount of air goes through, a sleep technologist makes the necessary adjustments.

In the past years, many new types of masks are made available in the market to fit people with different face structures. Moreover, features like automatic pressure adjustment capabilities, built-in modems, and bi-directional capabilities are added to CPAP machines to improve their performance.

Other treatments besides CPAP:

Besides CPAP, there are other sleep apnea cures as well. These include:

Making lifestyle changes like cutting back on alcohol, losing weight, and quitting smoking can help you sleep at night.

Other options include wearing oral appliances. They are placed in your mouth to keep the airway open. These devices have retainer-like structures that advance the jaw.

Upper airway exercises can help strengthen weak muscles. These are responsible for causing sleep apnea and can help eliminate the need for a CPAP machine in some patients.

Resting on your side or stomach instead of lying on your back can improve breathing.

Surgical treatments, including procedures performed on the nose, tongue, or palate, can help.

Sleep apnea is a health problem that needs to be treated soon. For this purpose, using a CPAP machine, making lifestyle changes, wearing oral appliances, and practising upper airway exercises can be helpful.