Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatment Options
Obstructive Sleep Apnea – what are my options? People with obstructive sleep apnea may face significant issues while trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle.The vast majority of people with apnea are diagnosed with obstructive sleeping apnea. This happens when there’s a physical blockage within the upper airway. Central apnea (CSA) is another type of sleep apnea but not as common as Obstructive Sleep Apnea. This happens when there’s an issue with the nervous system’s signalling system. The person will stop breathing if the airway is blocked or closes. this may happen briefly, but it’ll occur repeatedly in sleep. they’ll then snort or take deep, shallow breaths. If untreated, apnea can cause cardiovascular disease and depression.The first step in treating obstructive sleeping apnea involves informing the patient about their condition and suggesting lifestyle changes that will help
Diagnosing Obstructive Sleep Apnea
The two most common methods that are currently used to diagnose obstructive sleep apnea are:
- Polysomnography Test.This test involves using a machine that studies your heart, your lungs and your brain activity, your movements and also your blood oxygen levels while you are sleeping.
- Home Testing. This involves using a home testing kit, that will monitor your sleeping while you are at home. It is basically a “home version” of the Polysomnography test
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines
The CPAP machine is usually the first treatment option that sleep professionals will suggest. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure For Sleep Apnea is the newest alternative treatment for this sleep disorder that could help people with obstructive sleep apnea experience less symptoms and have an easier time falling asleep at night.This device is intended to open the airway so that the individual can breathe more easily during sleep.
This device provides ventilation and pressurization to the airway throughout the night. There are many types of CPAP machines on the market, ranging from small single-use devices to large ones that can be used indefinitely.
These devices are designed to treat patients who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea. Studies have demonstrated that this device has the potential to improve quality of life, decrease medical costs, improve work capacity, as well as decrease overall mortality and morbidity.
Mouth & throat exercises
Myofunctional therapy are certain exercises that can be performed with the throat and mouth to enable the muscles around your throat and mouth to stay more taut, while you sleep. Applying these exercises for a few months can also help, and are a low intervention treatment method.
Surgical treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea
There are also surgical options available as a treatment option. However, these procedures can be painful and require a great deal of recovery time.
A recent study of CPAP usage has been published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
The study, conducted by the University of Pennsylvania’s Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, focused on continuous positive airway pressure for sleep apnea.
Lifestyle Changes as a treatment option
There are some lifestyle changes that a person should consider after being diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea:
- Weight loss: Obesity and excess weight are the most common causes of many cases of apnea. Losing weight has been shown to help the symptoms of OSA tremendously. You should consider trying to lose those excess pounds. A nutritionist or dietician will facilitate your develop a diet plan that promotes healthy weight loss
- Exercise: getting fit will assist in improving your general wellbeing and has also shown to be effective in alleviating symptoms. Although exercise is commonly viewed as some way to slim down, studies have shown that it can result in lasting improvements in OSA symptoms and severity
- Nasal decongestants: these have also been shown to relieve symptoms of OSA
- Avoid cigarettes & alcohol: the two usual suspects also have a negative impact on your sleep, so should be avoided. OSA patients are often advised to cut back or eliminate alcohol use and sedatives within the immediate hours before bed.
People plagued by sleep disorder are only too cognizant of the associated problems. Consult your physician if you’re thinking that you will be plagued by sleep disorder. By following the recommendation we present here, you’ll get a handle on your problems with apnea.