For some people, sleep apnea could turn into a more severe condition with dangerous effects their overall health, particularly if it isn’t diagnosed early and treated properly. If you have been recently diagnosed with this disorder, your doctor or sleep specialist will inform you of treatment options that can help in managing your condition. Below is a primer on the different kinds of treatments for sleep apnea that your doctor might recommend depending on your specific symptoms.
CPAP Therapy for Sleep Apnea
In order to keep your upper airway unobstructed, you may need constant airflow to support it through the use of a facemask when you sleep. This effective and common sleep apnea treatment is known as CPAP or continuous positive airway pressure. There’s likewise a similar treatment known as BiPAP or bilevel positive airway pressure, which involves pressures that alternate between a lower and higher level when you breathe.
But before you take a look at those CPAP machines for sale, a local outlet of medical equipment in Orem suggests that when choosing, you have to find one that’s comfortable, fits perfectly, and with minimal leakage. Majority of people who undergo CPAP therapy however can tolerate wearing the facemask after several weeks of consistent use. On the other hand, some individuals may have to resolve some minor issues with regards to fit and getting used to wearing the facemask every night. If you’re still experiencing difficulties after two weeks, consult the CPAP machine provider and your doctor.
Making Lifestyle Changes
If you suffer from mild sleep apnea, certain lifestyle changes might help relieve your symptoms. But even if you’ll need further treatment later on, such as an oral appliance or breathing machine, your doctor will insist that you continue lifestyle adjustments. These might include weight loss, regular exercise, sleeping sideways, quitting smoking, and not consuming alcohol and taking certain drugs late in the day.
When your symptoms persist, however, you may need to look into more treatment options. As much as we want our body to correct what’s wrong with it, it may needs the extra push to achieve that.
If CPAP Therapy Isn’t Enough
While CPAP therapy usually works for individuals with severe or moderate sleep apnea, it may still not be enough for some. In cases like these, chances are that the issue might also be due to untreated insomnia. In addition, if you find that you can’t tolerate the CPAP machine or it’s not enough to ease your symptoms, you could look into these other treatment options:
- Positional sleep aids like wedge pillows or sleep shirts so you can train yourself to sleep on your side
- Surgery for removing excess tissue in your throat
- Oxygen support
- Oral appliances and dental devices for moving your lower jaw forward
With proper treatment, you can experience relief from your sleep apnea symptoms. With all the therapies and solutions available to you, you can keep your symptoms under control and avoid more serious complications. You just have to choose which ones work best for you because consistent use is key to managing your condition.
