Sleep Apnea Snoring Treatment Alternatives

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Sleep Apnea Snoring Treatment Alternatives

Friday, October 10th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed

Sleep apnea treatment options for non-severe cases of sleep apnea involve self-help and behavioral changes. They include losing weight, eliminating alcohol, quitting smoking, stopping taking sleeping pills, sleeping on your side, and maintaining regular sleep hours.

For more severe cases of sleep apnea, these self-help options are not appropriate. Several other sleep apnea treatments are available. These include:

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP):

The most commonly recommended severe sleep apnea treatment is a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machine (CPAP). A CPAP machine affords airway pressure to a sufferer of sleep apnea. The sleeper wears a mask-breathing device while sleeping. It supplies pressurized air, and the patient inhales, causing an expansion of the airway and arresting apnea episodes and snoring. The CPAP machine supplies constant air pressure irrespective of if the person is taking a breath or expiring.

A CPAP machine is an excellent sleep apnea treatment, but many sufferers have found the breathing mask to be less than comfortable. Thanks to recent advancements, CPAP masks are now much more user friendly. Newer CPAP masks come in many styles, allowing sleepers to find the mask that fits them best.

Ameliorations in CPAP sleep apnea treatment have included adjustable air pressure. Bi-level PAP affords an opportunity to the sufferer to change from high to low air pressure during exhalation. Auto PAP automatically changes air pressure via an internal regulator at fluctuating instead of fixed levels.

Oral Appliances:

Oral appliances, like a sports mouth guard or orthodontic retainer, which fit in a sleeper’s mouth, are an effective mode of mild to moderate sleep apnea snoring treatment. These oral appliances assist with keeping the sleeper’s throat and airway unobstructed. Many sufferers find the oral appliances more facile to use than a CPAP machine, but not as effective. Other oral appliances fit around the head and chin to adjust the lower jaw of the wearer, moving it forward and relieving snoring and apnea.

Two oral tools that are commonly used to bring the jaw forward during sleep are the Tongue Retaining Device and the Mandibular Repositioning Device. These utensils are procurable from a dentist who specializes in sleep apnea treatment. Some sleep apnea sufferers find the oral device uncomfortable and experience jaw problems, nausea, saliva build-up, soreness, and tooth tenderness.

Surgery:

Certain surgeries can remove tissues, tonsils, or adenoids, keeping the airway from being able to close and are an alternative sleep apnea treatment. Surgery may give permanent relief, but there are risks of infection and complications. Depending on the type of sleep apnea, the surgery options for sleep apnea treatment include:

Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) - A surgeon removes the tonsils, adenoids, tissue from the back of the mouth, and from the top of the throat.

Maxillomandibular Advancement - A surgeon moves the upper and lower jaw forward, enlarging the space behind the soft palate and tongue.

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