Sleep Apnea Treatments: A Complete Guide to Therapies

You are not alone if you or someone you know has sleep apnea. There are strategies to enhance your sleep and general health if you struggle with this condition, which affects many people. You may learn more about the therapies and treatments from a sleep apnea dentist near me in Houston for obstructive sleep apnea from this page.

 

What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

 

Make sure you comprehend what obstructive sleep apnea is before we discuss remedies. It occurs when you continually stop and start breathing while you are asleep. Your airway becomes blocked as a result of your throat muscles relaxing excessively.

 

Treatments for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

 

Lifestyle Changes

 

Simple adjustments can occasionally have a significant impact on obstructive sleep apnea treatments.

 

Lose Weight: If you are overweight, dropping even a few pounds can assist in keeping your airway open by reducing the excess tissue in your throat.

  

Positional Therapy: Some individuals only have sleep apnea while they are on their backs. Consider sleeping on your side.

 

Avoid Alcohol and Sedatives: These medications may further loosen the muscles in your throat, aggravating sleep apnea.

 

Quit Smoking: Smoking can exacerbate sleep apnea by causing more inflammation and fluid retention in your upper airway.

 

CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure)

 

One of the most widely used sleep apnea treatment is this one. It entails sleeping with a mask covering your mouth or nose. The mask is attached to a device that keeps your airway open by supplying a steady stream of air pressure.

 

BiPAP (Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure)

 

CPAP-like, but with two pressure settings—one for breathing in and another for breathing out. If you struggle to breathe out when using a CPAP machine, it can be useful.

 

Oral Appliances

 

By shifting your jaw and tongue, these are a lot like mouthguards and are intended to keep your throat open.

 

Surgery

 

Surgery of sleep apnea houston tx may be necessary in specific circumstances. There are various surgical techniques, including:

 

Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP): Your throat's extra tissue is cut away during this procedure to open up the airway.

  

Genioglossus Advancement (GA): Your tongue's front is constricted during the treatment to stop it from folding backward.

  

Maxillomandibular Advancement (MMA): To widen the airway, it moves the upper and lower jaws.

 

Therapies for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

 

Expiratory Positive Airway Pressure (EPAP)

 

You put these tiny, sticky devices over your nostrils before going to sleep. They maintain an open airway by applying pressure using the air you are breathing.

 

Supplemental Oxygen

 

It may be advised to use supplementary oxygen if your oxygen levels fall while you sleep. It's not typically the main method of treating sleep apnea, though.

 

Adaptive Servo-Ventilation (ASV)

 

ASV devices keep track of your breathing patterns and modify air pressure as necessary. If you have central sleep apnea, a less frequent form of the disorder, it can be useful.

 

Conclusion

 

A better night's sleep and a higher quality of life are possible outcomes of obtaining assistance and considering these possibilities. You and your healthcare professional can decide on the best course of action based on the seriousness of your ailment and your personal preferences for treatment for obstructive sleep apnea.