Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatments | Sleep Apnea | Sleep Apnea Zone

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatments | Sleep Apnea | Sleep Apnea Zone

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Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatments
A brief composition of various treatments for obstructive sleep apnea.

Over 18 million Americans are suspected of suffering from obstructive sleep apnea, and most go undiagnosed. For those who have been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, there are many treatments available, depending on the severity and regularity of the apneas (moments when one or more breaths are missed as a result of an obstruction and despite attempts to breath), as well as personal preference. Treatments range from simple positional therapy to surgery. Each treatment has its benefits and drawbacks.

One of the main factors that causes obstructive sleep apnea in adults is obesity. Obese adults have a higher chance of suffering from sleep apnea because they have more tissue that can obstruct the throat while sleeping, leading to more apneas. For obese adults, one of the best treatments is weight loss. This will not only reduce or eliminate the obstructive sleep apnea, but will also have the normal benefits gained from obtaining a healthy weight.

Surgery can also be performed to remove some of the excess fatty tissue that has built up to allow the passage of more air. Surgery is also a consideration for those whose throats are obstructed by chronically enlarged tonsils or adenoids, or for those who have abnormal development in the throat. Surgery can be performed to remove obstructive tissue, as well as benign tonsils and adenoids in the hopes that the increased size of the airway will decrease the number of apneas experienced.

There are several mechanical treatments for obstructive sleep apnea, such as the use of an oral device. One such device is called a tongue retaining device, which prevents the tongue from resting over the opening of the throat and hindering breathing. Another device is called a mandibular advancement device, which protrudes the lower jaw to allow for greater air flow through the throat. A more intricate mechanical treatment is a CPAP device.

CPAP stands for continuous positive airway pressure. This means that the device, which is a controlled air compressor, is constantly creating a positive pressure into the airway, making for easier inhalation. However, because of the constant positive pressure, some patients find that exhaling is more difficult and becomes as disruptive as the sleep apnea. An alternative to CPAP is VPAP (BiPAP), or variable (bilevel) positive airway pressure. The air compressor is attached to a device that monitors the patients breathing and adjusts the pressure accordingly, with higher pressure when inhaling and lower pressure for exhaling.

Perhaps the simplest treatment for obstructive sleep apnea is positional therapy. Laying on the back while sleeping causes tissue to obstruct the airway more readily due to gravitys pull and the relaxation of the muscles of the throat that occurs during sleep. Positional therapy deals with the adjustment of the position the patient assumes during sleep. The most common positional therapies are to either sleep on ones side to reduce the factor gravity plays on the obstructive effects of the throats tissues, or to sleep at a 30 degree incline. The incline is achieved by either sleeping on an adjustable bed, a reclining chair, or using foam wedges.

Although there are many treatments for obstructive sleep apnea, using several in conjunction with one another is usually the most effective course of action. There is no preferred combination, as treatment is usually case by case between patients. Consulting a doctor is the best option when deciding which treatments to choose.

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