Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition wherein something gets in the way of proper breathing during sleep. For instance, if your tonsils and adenoids are too enlarged or swollen, they can block your airway and you might struggle to get a proper breath as you are sleeping. Similarly, some part of your throat may collapse during sleep and effectively make full breathing impossible. When it comes to the treatment for this condition, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is usually the gold standard. CPAP works by pushing air into the back of the throat and using a splint to keep the airway open. In addition, there are some alternative therapies for obstructive sleep apnea that can be used with patients who cannot tolerate CPAP treatment, or require additional help.
The following are some of the FDA approved therapies that are currently on the market:
1. BiPAP Therapies
When it comes to alternative therapies for obstructive sleep apnea, BiPAP is generally the most common, as it works in a way that is similar to CPAP. Instead of using a single form of pressure, this particular therapy uses two pressures, which are the exhale and inhale pressures. This treatment is generally used with people who have lung issues and sleep apnea, and it was also used historically for patients who are unable to tolerate CPAP.
2. Weight Loss
Many experts regard weight loss to be a highly effective and important treatment option for obese and overweight patients that suffer from obstructive sleep apnea, as there is a strong correlation between this condition and weight. However, although exercise and diet can work for many, weight loss with traditional methods can take a long time. In some cases, bariatric surgery will be an option for obese individuals who cannot lose weight through traditional means.
3. Sleep Apnea Oral Appliances
Representing several alternative therapies for obstructive sleep apnea, oral appliances can come in the form of mouth guards that are specially designed and adjusted by apnea dentists. These devices work by moving the lower jaw forward to open the airway during sleep. Most of these devices are highly adjustable, and they are made using silicone or plastic. Many of these oral appliances are hinged, which means that you can open your mouth when they are in place. Unfortunately, in some cases, sleep apnea oral devices may cause temporal mandibular joint pain.
4. Oral Surgery
For adults who suffer with obstructive sleep apnea, there are a number of surgical procedures that might be performed to reduce the problem. The kind of choice that you will have available to you will be based on the structures that block your airway during sleep. Procedures can either be grouped into those that involve certain areas of the breathing passage, such as the tongue, or the soft palate. Soft palate procedures are generally the most common option, and can help to remove the problem of sleep apnea entirely.
5. Positional Therapy
Sleep apnea can become worse when you are sleeping on your back, or you are in the supine position. Fortunately, there are many simple devices that can prevent you from sleeping in this way when you suffer from sleep apnea.