How to Treat Sleep Apnea

 Sleep apnea can drain you, and your loved ones, of energy. Without proper sleep you are not rested to take on the day. Even the easiest tasks become very difficult, and you may lash out too quickly at others. Proper sleep can even help your oral health. Let’s take a look at what proper sleep can do for you.

Sleep apnea is a critical sleep disorder that needs to be treated. A board-certified physician in London, KY can help you to select an appropriate treatment plan. Depending upon the treatment plan that you choose, collaboration with psychologist, dentist, physician assistants, technologists and nurses might be required.
The possible treatments available for sleep apnea are :

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)
CPAP is basically a machine that keeps your airways open throughout the night by using steady air stem so that you can breathe properly during sleep. A mask with hose is attached to the machine, you need to wear this mask to ensure restful sleep. The machines and masks vary with respect to the type of treatment and comfortability. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure treatments are considered as frontline treatments for sleep apnea and are usually recommended for all cases.

Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT)
Oral appliance is a device that fits in your mouth over the teeth during sleep. The main function of this device it to prevent collapsing of airway by holding the tongue position or by sliding the jaw forward to ensure that you breathe properly. Some people prefer to sleep with an Oral Appliance and avoid CPAP. After the diagnosis of Sleep Apnea, a dentist expertise in dental sleep medicine can fit you with an oral appliance. This appliance is recommended to those patients having moderate apnea and are not able to tolerate CPAP.

Surgery
Surgical based therapies are not much effective as compared to CPAP and Oral Appliance. There are numerous surgical alternatives available if you are not satisfied with CPAP and Oral Appliance therapy. The common surgical treatments usually involve elimination of the extra tissues in throat which blocks and collapses the airway during sleep. More advanced surgical treatments involves adjustment of bone structures including nose, facial bones and jaw. Also, the weight loss surgery can give you effective results.

Weight Management
Weight management can be helpful in preventing sleep apnea for overweight patients. Probably, the main reason behind the blockage of airway in overweight people are that they have thick neck as well as extra tissue in the throat. Weight management therapy does not ensure that it will eliminate sleep apnea, but it can help you positively.

Positional Therapy
It is behavioral therapy that helps in treatment of sleep apnea. Some people experiences sleep apnea when they sleep on their back, termed as “supine” position. And when they sleep on their side their breathing returns to normal. This therapy involves wearing a device around waist or back. It helps in sleeping in side position. Vibro -Tactile Feedback technology is an another alternative to treat sleep apnea. It is a small device worn on the back side of neck. It starts vibration alerts the body to change the position without disturbing you during sleep.

Change In Lifestyle
There are numerous lifestyle changes which can help you to overcome sleep apnea symptoms. Behavioral changes including no alcohol consumption, quitting smoking can help you to improve and overcome sleep apnea symptoms.

If none of the above treatment works for you or you are not able to tolerate the treatment plan, in such cases Cognitive Behavioral Therapy might be recommended by your doctor. Consulting a behavioral sleep specialist will also be a great idea. They help you to avoid the thoughts and behavior that are resisting you to get restful sleep or complying with any of your treatments. Don’t wait, call us at  (606) 864-1441 to treat your sleep apnea!