Alternatives to CPAP for Sleep Apnea

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy is the most usually advised treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), a condition characterized by airway blockage causing breathing to halts and starts during sleep.  Though many people find it loud, annoying, or hard to use, CPAP is quite effective. And sometimes, the noisiness can be because of a dirty mask or hose and can be effectively cleaned with Nuwave CPAP cleaner. Luckily, several other remedies are available for those who cannot stand or want different approach to CPAP treatment. From lifestyle modifications and oral equipment to surgery and advanced treatments, these possibilities are vast.

Orofacial Exercises (Myofunctional Therapy):

Exercises in myofunctional therapy strengthen the mouth and throat muscles, hence helping to prevent airway collapse.  Weak throat and tongue muscles can cause airway blockage; thus, strengthening them may assist to reduce the degree of sleep apnea. Trained experts can help patients enhance muscle tone by means of certain exercises including tongue presses, lip exercises, and soft palate lifts. Particularly when used together with other therapies, this non-invasive treatment has shown great potential.

Soft Tissue Operation Or Oralmaxillofacial Operation:

Sometimes your own physiology could be behind your sleep apnea. Otolaryngologists or oral surgeons may be able to assist you breathe more naturally with a surgery tailored to your particular needs if you have quite big tonsils, a flaccid soft palate, a tongue obstructing part of your throat, or jaw bones too small for your face. Sometimes surgical repair will totally alleviate your sleep apnea; in other circumstances, it can help you tolerate CPAP better.

Mandibular Advances Devices:

Covering both the upper and lower teeth, mandibular advancement devices keep the jaw in a position that stops it from obstructing the upper airway. These tools are quiet, simple to operate, and cheaper than CPAP devices. Still, mandibular advancement devices are most effective for those with moderate OSA or for those who have OSA only when lying on their back.

Positional Therapy:

Back sleeping, or supine position sleep, may elevate a person’s nightly apnea episode count. The tongue and larynx could block air in this sleep posture. A research revealed that almost 62% of individuals with OSA suffer from supine predominant sleep apnea. Professionals advise side sleeping rather than back sleeping to minimize the effects of OSA. Research indicates that patients using devices that warns them whenever they are back sleeping have lower incidence of apnea episodes. Still, compliance with use of these devices is a concern, and the technology itself calls for improvement.

Weight Reduction As Well As Physical Activity:

Although obesity is a risk factor for OSA, the link between weight and sleep apnea is difficult. One should see a medical practitioner before embarking on weight loss to address sleep apnea symptoms. Studies indicate that shedding extra pounds might lower the severity of OSA symptoms present. One might suggest a mix of a diet and moderate activity change. Still, by itself weight loss can’t entirely eradicate OSA. Changing their sleeping positions and losing weight improve results more than weight loss alone.

BiPAP Treatment and Expiratory Positive Airway Pressure (EPAP):

Expiratory Positive Airway Pressure (EPAP) devices are small, disposable valves put over the nostrils,. Their exhalations create resistance, assisting to maintain the airway open without a CPAP machine. Compact, quiet, and powered independently, these devices are suitable for those who travel often or hate standard CPAP treatment.

For patients having difficulty exhaling or suffering from discomfort, BiPAP therapy may be an option that is better than CPAP. For some individuals, BiPAP is more comfortable than CPAP (which has consistent air pressure), as it has two different pressure levels—higher during inhalation and lesser during exhalation.