5 Tips for Treating Sleep Apnea

Many patients have sleep apnea, a type of sleep disorder that causes them to experience a blockage in the upper airway while sleeping, which results in an interruption in airflow. Apnea often causes patients to wake up briefly but repeatedly in the night during these airflow interruptions to help reopen the airways. As a result, patients are unable to fall into a deep sleep for any prolonged period of time, leading to constant daytime fatigue and trouble focusing and concentrating on daily tasks.

Tips for sleep apnea treatment

The following are five helpful tips to help treat this sleep disorder.

1. Use a positive airway pressure device

For a majority of sleep apnea patients, continuous positive airway pressure devices are recommended. These devices deliver streams of compressed, forced air through a mask that is worn on the face to keep the upper airway open while sleeping. These devices help patients have a better quality of sleep and can prevent complications that may occur if apnea is left untreated.

2. Get an oral appliance

In addition to CPAP devices, oral appliances are another common treatment recommendation. These work by repositioning either the tongue or the jaw to keep the airway from becoming obstructed. While some oral appliances are sold over the counter, it is recommended that patients visit the dentist to have one customized for their mouth to ensure proper positioning and fit.

3. Adjust sleeping positions

Sleep apnea makes getting a good night’s sleep difficult. Patients with apnea tend to rest on their backs, which often leads to more breathing interruptions. Sleeping on the side can normalize breathing and help apnea patients have a better quality of rest.

4. Avoid tobacco and alcohol

Patients who smoke and drink may want to consider cutting back on both. Tobacco use has been linked to inflammation and swelling in the airways, leading to apnea. Alcohol causes the muscles in the throat responsible for breathing to relax and may also result in inflammation and swelling of the upper airways. Eliminating tobacco and alcohol can improve sleep apnea symptoms, as well as a patient's overall health.

5. Achieve and maintain a healthy weight

Obesity has been linked to the development of apnea. This is usually due to fatty deposits in the neck, which contribute to decreased lung volume and neuromuscular control, as well as an increase in pressure on the airways. Patients who are overweight can often see a vast improvement in symptoms once they lose weight, and some eliminate apnea altogether. It is important for patients to maintain a healthy weight or symptoms could return.