Did you know that an estimated 18 million Americans have sleep apnea? Getting a good night’s sleep is important, but it can be hard to do when you have sleep apnea. Thankfully, you have a variety of treatment options to help you manage your symptoms and prevent life-threatening complications.

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing or periods of shallow breathing during sleep. Left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, and other serious health problems. During sleep, muscles in your throat relax. If you have sleep apnea, this relaxation causes the tissues at the back of your throat to collapse and block airflow. This blocks the flow of oxygen into your lungs, resulting in a temporary but periodic disruption in breathing during sleep and frequent awakenings.

Sleep Apnea Treatments:

Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common, accounting for more than 80% of all cases. Central sleep apnea is caused by a problem with the brain’s ability to control breathing. Mixed sleep apnea is a combination of the first two types.Sleep apnea can be treated with CPAP, surgery, neurostimulator or oral appliances.

Positive Airway Pressure Devices

Positive airway pressure devices, also known as PAP devices, are used to treat sleep apnea. PAP devices work by providing a constant stream of air to the lungs. This helps keep the airway open and prevents the person from stopping breathing during sleep. PAP devices come in a variety of forms, including nasal masks, nasal pillows, and full-face masks. CPAP is the most common type of PAP device.

Oral Appliances

One common treatment for sleep apnea is the use of an oral appliance. This is a device that is worn in the mouth during sleep and helps to keep the airway open. There are several different types of oral appliances available, and your doctor will help you choose the one that is best for you.

Neuro-stimulation therapy

Neuro-stimulation Therapy is the latest advancement in sleep apnea treatment. It is a device that has been proven to stop your snoring and reduce your risk of heart-related problems when used while you sleep. With Neuro-stimulation Therapy, also known as Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES), small electrical currents are delivered to your brain via electrodes positioned on top of the head. These devices are very safe, with few (if any) side effects, and cost less than a C-PAP machine.

Positional Therapy

Positional therapy is a type of treatment for sleep apnea that involves changing the way you sleep. It can be done using pillows, wedges, or special straps to keep you in a certain position. Positional therapy is usually recommended if you have mild sleep apnea and have not had success with other treatments.

Nasal Decongestants

Nasal decongestants work by shrinking the blood vessels in the nose. This helps to clear the airways and improve airflow. Nasal decongestants are a class of drugs that are used to relieve congestion in the nose. This type of medication is available over the counter and comes in the form of a spray, drops, or a pill.

Surgery

There are four main types of surgery for sleep apnea. These surgeries include uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, maxillomandibular advancement, palatal implants, and genioglossus advancement. Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty is a surgical procedure that removes the excess tissue in the throat and tongue to reduce snoring. Maxillomandibular advancement is a surgical procedure that moves the jaw forward to increase airway space in the throat. Palatal implants are surgically placed devices that keep the airway open when the patient sleeps at night by expanding and contracting with each breath. Genioglossus advancement is a surgical procedure where muscles are moved to widen an airway passage in the throat.

There is no one-size-fits-all sleep apnea treatment. Sleep apnea can be a serious problem that affects your health, so it’s important to find the right treatment. In order to find the best treatment for you, you first need to know what type of sleep apnea you have. This article provides an overview of the three most common types of sleep apnea and the treatment options available for each. If you’re still not sure which treatment is best for you, please consult with your doctor.