Dealing With Sleep Apnea Painlessly
More than 12 million adult Americans are believed to have sleep apnea, a common disorder in which the upper airway is intermittently narrowed during sleep, causing breathing to be difficult. From persistent sleepiness to depression to heart disease, this sleep disorder can severely damage your health if left untreated. Thankfully, treating sleep apnea is usually quite simple. In this article, we’ll talk about the apnea treatment options available and the possible consequences of forgoing help.
There are four basic approaches to apnea treatment, and they can be used in conjunction with one another. The simplest method involves changing the circumstances which may be causing the condition. The patient is advised to lose weight, quit smoking, avoid alcohol and sedative drugs, have a regular sleep schedule and try to sleep only on their side. The most common treatment option is using Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) in the upper airway to support and hold the airway open. This involves wearing a CPAP mask over the nose. The mask provides a supply of continuously flowing air via a flexible plastic hose from a CPAP machine. Studies have shown that when patients use CPAP, they not only slept better and were more alert during the day, but there were significant improvements in the size, shape and pumping action of their hearts.
The third apnea treatment option is the use of a dental splint to prevent the jaw and tongue from moving back and narrowing the airway. However, oral devices have not proved to be as effective as CPAP and the appliances can be uncomfortable. The fourth and most extreme form of treatment is surgery. This kind of procedure involves removal of the part of the soft palate that hangs down in the back of the throat, as well as the tonsils if present, and other soft tissue if it is felt to be excessive. This procedure is usually reserved for patients with severe sleep apnea.
To diagnose which treatment is best for you, your doctor will evaluate the symptoms you’re experiencing and their severity. If you think that treating sleep apnea is unnecessary, then consider the alternatives. Sleep apnea can lead to depression, high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease. Patients who do undergo treatment report fewer headaches, improved mood, higher energy and improved job performance.
Treating sleep apnea will depend on whether your case is mild, moderate or severe. Your doctor can help you choose the best treatment for you. Your treatment will have numerous benefits to your overall health if you stick to the plan your doctor has laid out for you. The benefits of a good night of sleep will be well worth the effort.
Sleep is absolutely essential for the human body to work properly. The lack sleep can begin affecting day to day functions and the thought process. For some people going to bed to sleep is a time to be apprehensive about since they never actually feel totally rested. They sleep unsoundly, have problems breathing and can even stop breathing several times each night. When they snore they disturb their partners therefore effecting their relationships. Work starts to become hurt as they continually lose focus and have the capability to focus. There is hope though. There are procedures as well as devices that can at last provide them a better quality of sleep and at last overcome their sleep disorders. Click here for more information:
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