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5 Alternative Sleep Apnea Treatment Options
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Sleep apnea occurs when breathing is interrupted or slowed during sleeping. This causes oxygen levels in the blood to drop significantly. As a result, the brain doesn’t get enough oxygen, causing excessive daytime drowsiness. Sleep apnea can also cause high blood pressure, heart problems, memory issues, depression, headache, and even death in severe cases.
What Causes Sleep Apnea?
There are several reasons someone might develop sleep apnea. The most common cause is obesity. When people are overweight, their throat and neck muscles tend to relax too much while they sleep, obstructing their airways. Other causes of sleep apnea include:
- Smoking
- Drinking alcohol
- Aging (over 60)
- Having large tonsils
- Nasal congestion
- Family history of sleep apnea
According to the 2016 Sleep Health Foundation (SHF) National Survey, an estimated 8.3 per cent of Australian adults have been diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).
Sleep apnea episodes may last ten seconds or more, depending on the severity. People who suffer from sleep apnea can experience between five to thirty sleep apnea episodes each hour and not remember them the next day.
Sleep-related breathing disorders are a notable cause of death in Australia, claiming 1,111 lives in 2018.
Persons suffering from sleep apnea find relief using devices such as a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine. A CPAP machine provides pressurized air through a hose connected to a mask or nosepiece, keeping the airway open while the user sleeps.
Several alternative sleep apnea treatments are available for people who don’t want to use a CPAP machine or cannot tolerate it.
According to the 2016 Sleep Health Foundation (SHF) National Survey, an estimated 8.3 per cent of Australian adults have been diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).
Sleep apnea episodes may last ten seconds or more, depending on the severity. People who suffer from sleep apnea can experience between five to thirty sleep apnea episodes each hour and not remember them the next day.
Sleep-related breathing disorders are a notable cause of death in Australia, claiming 1,111 lives in 2018.
Persons suffering from sleep apnea find relief using devices such as a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine. A CPAP machine provides pressurized air through a hose connected to a mask or nosepiece, keeping the airway open while the user sleeps.
Several alternative sleep apnea treatments are available for people who don’t want to use a CPAP machine or cannot tolerate it.
Alternative Sleep Apnea Treatments
1. Lifestyle Changes
Changes to one’s lifestyle can help relieve sleep apnea symptoms and reduce the risk of developing it in the first place. Some lifestyle changes that may help include:
- Quitting smoking
- Losing weight
- Avoiding alcohol and caffeine before bedtime
People who are overweight or obese may develop obstructive sleep apnea because they have excess fat around their necks. This causes a constriction of the airway and interferes with breathing during sleeping.
Losing weight may help persons with sleep apnea dramatically lessen their symptoms.
A doctor or registered dietitian can help patients develop an appropriate plan. Doctors may also recommend that people who smoke try to quit, as smoking can worsen sleep apnea.
Even the slightest change in lifestyle may help reduce the number of apnea episodes and improve a person’s overall sleep quality.
2. Oral Surgery
Oral surgery can treat sleep apnea by widening the airway or increasing space in the throat. Surgery removes the soft palate and pharynx, and other tissues that may cause blockages and make it hard to breathe while sleeping.
The patient is likely to feel pain and discomfort after the surgery. The length of time it takes for the patient to recover depends on the surgery performed.
3. Positional Therapy
OSA is a sleeping disorder characterized by snoring and respiratory pauses. Positional therapy involves sleeping on your side rather than on your back. This keeps the airway open and reduces the number of breathing pauses during sleeping.
There are several ways to prevent persons from resting on their backs, using basic and sophisticated tools. For example, patients can use wedge-shaped pillows, tennis balls, or custom-made body pillows to secure specific sleeping positions.
This method compares various gadgets to see which one is best for their situation.
Positional therapy is a standard treatment for mild to severe sleep apnea.
4. Upper Airway Stimulation Therapy
Upper airway stimulation therapy is a relatively new treatment for sleep apnea. It involves implanting a small device to stimulate the throat muscles to prevent collapse during sleep. The upper airway stimulation device works similarly to a pacemaker to treat heart conditions. The device monitors breathing patterns and sends mild electrical pulses to the muscles in your throat, keeping them open.
Upper airway stimulation therapy is an effective alternative for sleep apnea, but it’s not suitable for everyone. A doctor should assess each case to determine whether upper airway stimulation is a viable option. This treatment is typically considered after other treatment options have been exhausted.
5. Oral Devices
An OSA dental appliance is a custom-made device, or mandibular advancement splint (MAS), that fits over the upper and lower teeth. This sleep apnea treatment aims to reposition your tongue and jaw forward during sleep. This prevents tissues in the throat from blocking airways. Oral appliances are effective in treating mild to moderate sleep apnea.
The patient should consult a dentist to have a mouthpiece fitted. Oral appliances can be uncomfortable in the first few days but with the right fit this will improve over time.
Side-effects from oral sleep apnea devices include excessive salivation, sore jaw, and tender teeth. The patient should have regular dental check-ups to ensure that the dental appliance fits appropriately and isn’t causing any harm.
Sleep apnea is a severe sleep disorder that can cause health problems if left untreated. If you think you might have sleep apnea, it’s essential to seek medical help. The good news is that treatments are available that can significantly improve your quality of life.
At SomnoMed, we specialise in helping people with sleep apnoea get the treatment they need. Our most comfortable oral appliance, the SomnoDent Avant, is an effective therapy for people with sleep apnoea.
Please get in touch with us today to learn more about our products and services.
