Popular and Effective Treatments for Sleep Apnea
Some sleep apnea treatment options are considered to be more effective than others but it's important to know what options exist. There are three main types of sleep apnea – obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea and complex sleep apnea syndrome. Obstructive sleep apnea is a more common diagnosis and occurs when the tissues in the back of the throat relax so much that it gets in the way of your ability to properly breathe throughout the night. An obstructive sleep apnea diagnosis requires treatment. Ready to learn more?
Why sleep apnea treatment is necessary
Untreated sleep apnea will eventually lead to you experiencing any number of health-related problems, including but not limited to high blood pressure, respiratory failure, irregular heartbeats, coronary artery disease, heart attack and stroke. All of these health conditions are serious and for that reason are to be avoided. In order for you to avoid being diagnosed with even more health issues, you need to find a treatment option that works for you.
Treatments for sleep apnea
The following is a list of popular and effective treatments for sleep apnea for those who have been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea.
Oral appliances
According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, oral appliance therapy is an approved first-line treatment for patients diagnosed with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. Oral appliance therapy is a noninvasive treatment option that offers many benefits, the main reason why this treatment option is so popular.
Positive airway pressure devices
A CPAP machine is the most popular type of treatment used for those diagnosed with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea. Patients are required to wear a mask during the night, which provides them with the continuous air pressure necessary for keeping their airway passages open. An additional airway pressure device that proves to be very effective is an auto-CPAP machine, which automatically adjusts the pressure when sleeping.
Lifestyle changes
Patients who are diagnosed with a mild case of obstructive sleep apnea are encouraged to try self-care methods to deal with their diagnoses.
Lifestyle changes that are known to improve mild forms of this type of sleep apnea include losing weight when they are overweight or obese, avoiding drinking too much alcohol, avoid taking high doses of certain medications like tranquilizers or sleeping pills, sleeping on their side or stomach vs. their back and exercising on a regular basis by participating in moderate activities.
Do you need treatment for your sleep apnea?
Living with obstructive sleep apnea can really get in the way of being able to properly function since this diagnosis prevents you from getting a good night’s sleep. While not getting enough sleep will leave you feeling generally fatigued, it will also lead to your experiencing a variety of health problems sooner or later. This is why it is essential for you to find an effective treatment option that works for you and as soon as possible. If you have any questions for us, please do not hesitate to call us at your soonest convenience.
Request an appointment here or call Calabasas Dental Care at (818) 591-2480 for an appointment in our Calabasas office.