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30 Jul, 2019

5 Alternative Sleep Apnea Treatment Options

If someone has been diagnosed with sleep apnea, the first treatment option will likely be continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). But there can be major problems in tolerating CPAP. There are various other treatment options that might offer relief ranging from home remedies to another.

Wear an Oral/Dental Appliance Instead

Oral and dental appliances are slowly and gradually becoming more popular choice for sleep apnea treatment. They have been termed as being much more comfortable than having to wear a CPAP mask. Oral and dental appliances work by holding the tongue into position or by sliding the jaw forward. This mainly helps to prevent the airway from collapsing.

Undergoing a Weight Management Program

Being obese or overweight is usually major cause of having sleep apnea. This is why shedding a few pounds might improve the situation. Extra weight narrows the airway, depositing fat at the base of the tongue, and making it more prone to collapse. In this case, diet and exercise is all that you need.

Positional Therapy

Positional therapy is regarded as more of a behaviour adjustment. Many people suffer from sleep apnea when they sleep flat on their back. If one chooses to sleep on one side, it may help you to breathe normally. There are Special devices which can be worn around the waist or back to help maintain this sleeping position.

Surgery for Sleep Apnea

Sometimes nothing works and surgery may be the best option. Surgery for sleep apnea usually involves a procedure that repairs one of these four things: upper and lower jaw, soft palate and Uvula, tongue, or tonsils and adenoids. Sleep apnea surgery can lead to pain, bleeding and throat swelling, and having the jaws wired shut for up to several days. So, one should opt for surgery only if it’s extremely important.

Consider Changing Some of Your Everyday Habits

Smoking and drinking can relax the muscles of your upper airway, thus making it more prone to collapse. One should avoid these intakes before bedtime to improve the symptoms of sleep apnea and snoring. One should also be careful of medications such as sleeping pills and narcotic pain medications.