Sleep apnea is an extremely common sleep disorder that affects your quality of sleep and your overall health. If you have recently been diagnosed with sleep apnea, you may not know all available treatment options. Treating your sleep apnea is critical for reducing symptoms and reducing your risk of developing other serious medical conditions such as obesity, diabetes, heart attack, and stroke. In today’s blog, we will explore the different treatment options that are available for individuals who are struggling with sleep apnea.
Oral Appliances
- One type of sleep apnea treatment is wearing an oral appliance. These devices are worn in the mouth and are specially designed to keep the throat open. Oral appliances are most effective for reducing snoring or mild to moderate sleep apnea.
Lifestyle Changes
- As this isn’t necessarily a form of treatment, making different lifestyle changes is a way to reduce the symptoms of sleep apnea and experience improved quality of sleep. These lifestyle changes can include weight loss through healthy eating and exercise, quitting smoking, and avoiding alcohol. All of these things can naturally alleviate some of the symptoms you have been experiencing, especially for those struggling with mild to moderate sleep apnea.
Surgery
- Surgery is an option for individuals struggling with sleep apnea, specifically when other treatment options have failed. A few of the different surgeries that can be performed to help with sleep apnea include nasal surgery, maxillomandibular advancement (repositioning of the upper and lower jaw), Genioglossus advancement (repositioning of the tongue attachment), and others. Since surgery is an invasive treatment option, it may not be a suitable option for all sleep apnea patients.
CPAP Therapy
- Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy is the gold standard for sleep apnea treatment. CPAP therapy provides an extremely effective and safe treatment option as it is non-invasive. With CPAP therapy, a CPAP machine is used to take in air from the room, pressurize it, and deliver it to the patient through a mask. Individuals with sleep apnea can experience comfort with their CPAP therapy with advanced technology and a plethora of available mask options.
If you are currently struggling with sleep apnea, it is critical to find a treatment option that fits your needs best. At PulseAir Heart and Lung Centre, we are here to support you throughout the entire process. We can help with everything from diagnosis to education to treatment options for obstructive sleep apnea. Visit our website to find out how to get started and contact our team with any questions!