Treatment Options for Sleep Apnea
There are several sleep apnea treatment options that have varying levels of effectiveness. Learn more about them here so you can decide which option is best for you.
CPAP: Fixed-Pressure Therapy Device
CPAP stands for continuous positive air presure. A CPAP, explained in a very simple way, is a turbine that blows air at positive pressure into our upper airways. This air pressure is made through a conductive tube and a mask that attaches to the patient’s nose and/or mouth.
APAP: Auto-Adjusting Pressure Therapy Device
The autoCPAP is an intelligent machine that self-regulates according to the needs, in this case apneas, of the user. Unlike CPAP which has a fixed pressure throughout the night, auto cpap oscillates overnight between a minimum and maximum pressure threshold. These pressure fluctuations translate into greater patient comfort and a lower residual apnea index (HAI).
BIPAP: Auto-Adjusting Bilevel Therapy Device
They are governed by the same principle as autocpap but these provide inspiratory and expiratory pressure. Indicated for patients with complex apneas and other respiratory pathologies.
MASKS
: There are basically three types of masks. Nasal, Facial and Warheads. One or the other will be chosen according to the needs of each person and the treatment to be followed. Choosing the wrong mask can be a fatal mistake that will cause that person to refuse treatment. So look carefully before choosing them and let yourself be advised by professionals.
Alternative Treatment Options
Surgery is also an option for treating sleep apnea, but, as with all surgeries, this involves some risks. Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, the most commonly performed surgical procedure for OSAS in the United States, is a treatment option with a relatively low success rate.
An effective and non-invasive alternative for those who suffer from the symptoms of positional sleep apnea when sleeping on their back is NightBalance, a device that emits gentle vibrations that will cause you to change the position while you sleep, without interfering with your sleep. When you change position, apneas and annoying snoring will disappear.
Patient outcomes and comorbidities
Effective treatment can reverse the effects of daytime sleepiness, fatigue, moodiness, and depression. Studies show that when patients are successful with treatment, the cost of long-term healthcare is at least 50% lower overall. 3-5
There are also various serious comorbidities, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and stroke, that have a strong connection to sleep apnea.
References
01 – Benjafield et al. Climate Control: Humidification with heated tube. ResMed Science Center 2010
02 –
JC Meurice et al. Orcads. A prospective cohort study of severe obstructive sleep apnoea patients receiving second line-treatment with a mandibular repositioning device (CadCam; Narwhal)
03 –
Albarrak et al. Sleep 2005
04 –
Kryger et al. Sleep 2005
05 – K
apur et al. Sleep 1999
