Sleep Apnea Treatments

There are only a few effective sleep apnea treatments. Treatment can help improve other health problems related to sleep apnea such as high blood pressure. Treatment may also decrease the risk of coronary heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

The type of treatment is prescribed depends on the patient and sites where tissue obstructs the airway. Obstructions can occur at the nose (deviated septum, nasal inflammation caused by allergies, etc.), upper pharyngeal (adenoids, enlarged soft palate, uvula or tonsils), the lower pharynx (a large tongue, additional fat around the neck that narrows the airways. These obstructions vary with people and there may be more than one of these obstructions.

Specific Types of Treatment

Changes in lifestyle, the devices used in the mouth, breathing devices or surgery are used to treat sleep apnea. Currently there are no medicines to treat sleep apnea. If you have sleep apnea, ask your doctor or sleep specialist that what treatment option are best suited for your specific disease.

Changes in lifestyle or mouth devices can be enough to relieve mild sleep apnea. People with moderate or severe form of sleep apnea may need breathing devices or surgery.

Mouthpiece

Mouthpieces are generally recommended by a physician, dentist or a sleep specialist. If you use a device in the mouth, it is important to call a doctor if discomfort or pain when using it. You may need to regularly consult the doctor that adjust the device so that it fits you best.

Changes in Lifestyle

If you have mild sleep apnea, may be all you need is to make some changes in your daily activities or habits.

Avoid alcohol and medicines that make you sleepy. These substances make it difficult to maintain a clear throat during sleep.

Lose weight if you overweight or obese. Even a slight weight reduction may improve symptoms.

Sleep on your side instead of back sleeping to keep the throat clear. You can sleep with pillows or special pajama shirts that keep you from sleeping on your stomach.

Keep your nasal passages clear at night with nasal sprays or allergy medicines if necessary. Ask your doctor if these treatments may help.

Quit smoking.

Tagged as: breathing devices, mouth breathing, mouthpiece, mouthpieces, nasal passages, nasal sprays, Sleep Apnea, sleep apnea treatments, soft palate