Sleep Apnea Treatments
Sleep apnea treatment depends on several factors, including the severity and the cause of sleep apnea. If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, there are several courses of sleep apnea treatment your doctor may recommend, ranging from non-invasive behavioral modifications to CPAP.
Behavioral Modifications
Mild cases of sleep apnea may only require conservative sleep apnea treatment. Conservative approaches include:
- weight loss
- alcohol abstinence
- sleeping pill abstinence
- not sleeping on your back
- smoking cessation
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) as Sleep Apnea Treatment
CPAP is a sleep apnea treatment which requires wearing a mask over the nose and/or mouth while you sleep. The CPAP mask is attached to a machine delivering a continuous flow of air into the nostrils. CPAP sleep apnea treatment helps keep the airways open so breathing is not impaired.
Dental Devices as Sleep Apnea Treatment
Dental devices can also keep airways open during sleep. This form of sleep apnea treatment moves the jaw and tongue forward to keep the upper airway open. Dental appliances can be custom-designed by a dentist with special expertise in sleep apnea treatments.
Surgery as Sleep Apnea Treatment
Sleep apnea treatment involving surgery is generally reserved for patients who:
- have a deviated nasal septum
- markedly enlarged tonsils
- a small lower jaw with an overbite (causing the throat to be abnormally narrow)
The specialists at the Sleep Apnea Specialty Centers can determine whether you have sleep apnea and help discover a solution that works for you. Contact us if you have any questions about CPAP or other sleep apnea treatments. You may also request more information on sleep studies.
