Sleep apnea prevents your body from getting the rest it needs to function. It leads to drowsiness and poor concentration during the day. Over time, it’s linked to serious health problems including heart disease, diabetes and stroke.
Symptoms of sleep apnea include snoring, choking and pauses in breathing while asleep. If you experience this, talk to your doctor about treatment options.
CPAP
CPAP is the best-known treatment for sleep apnea therapy Russellville KY. It is a bedside device that provides a constant flow of air pressure to prevent the collapse of the upper airway during sleep. It reduces snoring, improves daytime energy and lowers blood pressure. It also reduces the risk of heart disease.
CPAP reduces daytime fatigue and makes people safer drivers, since untreated sleep apnea can make it hard to stay awake and concentrate while driving. It can also increase the total amount of time a person sleeps and improve mood, memory and concentration. Treatment is long term and requires an annual office visit to check equipment, titrate the settings and ensure the mask fits properly.
APAP Machine
The most common sleep apnea treatment, the CPAP machine uses air pressure to keep your throat open while you slumber. This noninvasive therapy is used to treat both obstructive and central sleep apnea.
Unlike standard CPAP machines, an auto-adjusting positive airway pressure (APAP) machine adjusts the amount of air pressure released based on your needs. It increases pressure during deeper sleep and while you’re sleeping on your back, and reduces pressure during lighter sleep stages.
This varying pressure makes it easier to adapt to sleep apnea therapy Russellville KY. Other APAP benefits include comfort features like a heated humidifier, ramp settings, and data tracking to help you monitor your improvement.
Oral Appliances
Oral appliances are custom molded devices that can treat mild to moderate cases of obstructive sleep apnea by keeping the airway open. They work by moving the jaw forward, preventing the tongue from collapsing and occluding the airway during sleep.
Mandibular advancement devices (MADs) are the most common type of oral appliance used for sleep apnea. Tongue-stabilizing devices (TSDs) work in a similar manner to MADs, but they keep the base of the tongue forward instead of the tip.
Oral appliances can significantly improve symptoms such as snoring and daytime fatigue. They can also promote a healthier heart, body and mind. They are a comfortable and cost-effective alternative to surgery.
Tongue Stimulators
For patients with more severe obstructive sleep apnea who are unable to tolerate standard treatments, such as CPAP or bilevel therapy, hypoglossal nerve stimulation may be an option. This device stimulates the hypoglossal nerve with an electrode during sleep to keep the tongue from slackening and falling back into the throat.
The device fits around the tongue like a tiny cuff, and uses a gentle electrical pulse to make the tongue stick out, keeping the airway open. It is controlled with a small remote and has a delay setting to ensure you are asleep before the stimulation begins.
Aside from some tingling, this treatment is not uncomfortable and can be used while driving. It is also DOT approved, and a doctor can provide usage records to avoid any issues when renewing your commercial driver’s license.
Medication
There are many medications that can treat sleep apnea therapy Russellville KY symptoms such as snoring and feeling groggy during the day. They can also help control underlying health problems such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
If lifestyle modifications and PAP machines don’t improve symptoms, your doctor may recommend surgery. The type of surgery will depend on what is causing the obstruction.
Newer surgical techniques, such as radiofrequency tissue reduction, involve removing or stiffening the tissues that block the airway. This can make the upper airway more open. It can also increase the effectiveness of oral appliances and CPAP. In severe cases, the surgeon may move your jaw forward to enlarge the upper airway.
Surgery
For severe cases of obstructive sleep apnea, your healthcare provider may recommend surgery. This is generally only done after other treatments have been tried.
Some surgical procedures, such as uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (which removes the uvula and tonsils) and nasal surgery, can help widen the area where the mouth, throat and nasal passages connect. This helps air flow through more easily.
Effective treatment of sleep apnea leads to improved quality of life, better health and less risk of heart disease. It also helps relieve snoring and reduces daytime sleepiness and morning headaches. Many patients report having a more productive and energetic life after receiving treatment for obstructive sleep apnea.