Treatment for Sleep Apnea includes surgical procedures and other non-surgical procedures. Both have their own merits and effectiveness.
Surgical Sleep Apnea Treatment
Throat Surgery
Surgery can be an effective way of treating your sleep apnea – especially if your sleep apnea is cause by problem due to the structure of your airway. There are a number of surgical procedures that can open your airway, which involve the removal of tissue. These include the removal of the uvula, adenoids, and tonsils. Other procedures involve stiffening of the upper throat with implants, and repositioning (advancement) of your tongue.
Nasal Surgery
Just like the Throat Surgery, nasal surgery can be an effective treatment for some sleep apnea sufferers. Such surgery can include the following procedures:
– Straightening of the septum
– Reduction in the size of the turbinates, either through tissue removal or radio frequency to reduce underlying bony structure
– Removal of inflamed or infected tissue in the sinuses
– Enlargement or removal of bony tissue in the upper sinus area
As with any surgical procedures, it will involves pain and recovery period, depending on the extend of the surgery.
Non Surgical Sleep Apnea Treatment
There are alternative non-surgical sleep apnea treatment that are easy to do, but they will not, however, cure your sleep apnea completely. What they will do is to help you get a better night’s sleep while you are looking for a permanent apnea solutions.
Change your sleep position
This treatment involves sleeping on your side, instead of on your back. Sleeping on your back is perhaps the worst position to aggravate snoring and apnea events, because sleeping on your back allows your jaw to fall back, including your tongue, which cuts off your airway. A good help in ensuring proper sleep position and support for your neck area is using a Sleep Apnea Pillow.
Breathing Solutions
This solution is suitable for people with mild to moderate apnea, and for those who have obstructions that are primarily in the outer nasal areas. Example of breathing solutions include nasal strips and saline drops.
The Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) is perhaps the most popular and effective method of treatment for sleep apnea. This treatment involves wearing a mask with air delivered to the mask under pressure, basically ensuring a steady amount of air supplied to the airways.This effectively ensures that there is no pauses in breathing resulting in proper sleep and rest. However there are several side effects including those of discomfort caused by the mask, congestion of the Nasal passage or nose, headaches caused by the air pressure in the ears, and bloating and stomach pain due to the constant delivery of the air which may be trapped in your stomach.
Didgeridoo Therapy
This alternative sleep apnea treatment involving breathe control therapy focusing on strengthening the airway muscles and calming.
Singing Therapy
This is similar to the Didgeridoo Therapy, but more commitment is required to strengthen the airway muscles.
Lifestyle Changes
Lifestyle changes that can improve your apnea include the reduction or elimination of drinking alcohol, smoking, and drugs. Losing weight is also noted to significantly improving apnea.
Dental Devices (Oral)
A dental device is worn in your mouth to bed and it hold your jaw in a forward position, which opens your airway. Your dentist will made a mold of your teeth and create a mouthpiece for this purpose. Generic mouthj piece are also available but may not fit well in your mouth.
There are also other devices which is worn external to your mouth including those that like a big band which is wrap round your jaw and head, effectively holding your jaw in a forward position (imagine wearing your tight short between your jaw and head).
