My OperaSleep apnea solutions Common Sleep Apnea Treatments
Saturday, July 24, 2010 3:32:06 AM
Sleep apnea can significantly disrupt a person's daily life. Treatment of this sleep disorder is of particular importance not only because of its potential impact on health but also because it can be fatal. Luckily there are many treatments available. Most of these seek to eliminate problematic symptoms to allow a person to sleep soundly and breath fully throughout the night.
Severity and cause of the disorder are primary in determining which treatment is appropriate. Success of treatment often depends on a patients ability to follow through with treatment plans and follow up with doctors.
Following is a brief overview of common sleep apnea treatments.
1. Changing lifestyle. Behavior therapy is perhaps one of the most effective methods for treating and even curing sleep apnea. Many cases of sleep apnea are the result of factors we have power to change. For example, most people suffering from this and many other sleep disorders are overweight. Indeed, obesity is commonly associated with sleep disorders. Often the most sensible treatment is to manage one's weight. Sometimes a mere drop of ten pounds is sufficient to provide results.
Other lifestyle choices that contributed to sleep apnea are smoking and drinking. Drinking before bed can cause throat muscles to over-relax. Smoking increases congestion, making breathing difficult. Sleeping on the back also increases symptoms. Try sleeping on your side instead.
2. Other conditions. Sleep apnea can be the result of other medical conditions or even treatments of these conditions. If you discover your sleep disorder is the result of other conditions, then effectively treating these conditions may solve your problem.
3. Treatment devices. There are a host of different breathing aids that can reduce or eliminate symptoms of sleep apnea. The most commonly used is the Continuous Positive Air Pressure. CPAP makes use of a face mask that sends a continuous supply of air to the mouth and nose. This increase in pressure is enough to keep the airway from closing during sleep. Other treatments include By-level Positive Air Pressure or Adaptive Servo-Ventilation.
The face mask worn with these methods must be worn every night. It doesn't actually eliminate sleep apnea, but it does eliminate symptoms and allow comfortable sleep and breathing throughout the night.
4. Surgery. Some severe cases of apnea are the result of obvious physical problems like excess skin or other areas in the throat that are malformed. These problems can make it difficult to breathe while sleeping. Surgery is a potential solution. However, the vast majority of cases do not require surgery.
Sometimes enlarged tonsils are to blame for sleep apnea and can be easily removed. Other times the jaw needs to be reconstructed or tissues in the mouth or throat must be removed. Successful surgeries often permanently eliminate symptoms. However, surgery is the most risky way of dealing with sleep apnea and should only be used as a last resort.
Although there are many treatments that provide a reduction in symptoms or complete cure to sleep apnea, success is an individual thing. It takes dedication to make lifestyle changes or even to make necessary follow up appointments. Some people have trouble wearing a face mask while sleeping and stop using it altogether after a month or so. To gain benefits from most treatments, it is essential to follow through with your commitment.
The potential gains are worth the work required. Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder, and anyone suffering from it knows how difficult it can make their life. This can provide the motivation necessary to overcome difficult lifestyle changes. It is important to follow through with whatever treatment you choose as your preferred method for dealing with sleep apnea.
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