Sleep apnea is on the rise today! What Can I Do? Treatments and healthy habits to help combat sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea is a health condition where breathing pauses during your sleep and it has recently been on the rise!😥

Sleep apnea can prevent your body from getting enough oxygen for bodily functions, leading to various health complications such as heart disease and stroke, that can negatively affect your standard of living. 

Do you find yourself often snoring or gasping for air during your sleep?

Do you experience excessive daytime sleepiness?

It may be time to start consulting with your healthcare provider about the possibility of sleep apnea.😱

Sleep Apnea Comes In 2?

Sleep apnea comes in two classifications: Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and Central Sleep Apnea (CSA). 

OSA is the more common type of Sleep apnea, where the upper airway becomes blocked repeatedly during sleep, reducing or completely stopping airflow. 

Factors such as obesity, large tonsils, and hormonal changes can increase the risk of OSA. 

On the other hand, CSA occurs when the brain fails to send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.

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Diagnosing and Treating Sleep Apnea

To diagnose sleep apnea, your healthcare provider will highly likely recommend you take a sleep study, so that they can determine if you have sleep apnea and get a better idea of what kind of sleep apnea you have.

This neat little comprehensive assessment monitors your breathing patterns, blood oxygen levels, and other vital signs over the duration of your sleep. 

If you are diagnosed with sleep apnea, don’t panic! There are several treatment options available, ranging from lifestyle changes to medical devices and even surgery in severe cases.

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Healthy Lifestyle Changes for Sleep Apnea

Adopting healthy lifestyle habits is one of THE best ways to alleviate sleep apnea symptoms. 

Regularly exercising is essential for maintaining a healthy weight, which can reduce the severity of OSA. 

Establishing healthy sleeping habits, like sleeping before midnight and creating a comfortable environment to sleep in will also contribute greatly to better sleep quality.

Limiting your alcohol and caffeine consumption, especially before bedtime, can prevent these substances from disrupting your sleep. 

Why you ask?

That’s because the consumption of alcohol before sleeping can affect restorative sleep and caffeine is a strong stimulant that increases our alertness by blocking our brain’s perception of sleepiness and thus reducing our sleep duration.

Quitting smoking is another crucial step into sleep apnea-free sleep, as smoking can amplify sleep apnea symptoms. 

Additionally, positioning yourself on your side or stomach while sleeping can help keep the airways open, reducing snoring and mild apnea.

Breathing Devices for Sleep Apnea

For more serious cases of Sleep apnea, you may need machinery to ensure you have enough oxygen when you sleep.

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines are the most common treatment for sleep apnea. 

A CPAP machine provides constant air pressure to keep your airways open while you sleep. 

Although highly effective, CPAP machines can cause side effects such as congestion, dry eyes and mouth, nosebleeds, and runny nose. 

If you experience stomach discomfort or bloating, you should immediately consult with your healthcare provider.

Depending on your specific condition, alternative breathing devices like auto-adjusting positive airway pressure (APAP) or bilevel positive airway pressure (BPAP) machines might be recommended. 

It’s essential to discuss with your healthcare provider to determine the most suitable device for your needs, please do not just buy the machine expecting it to work for your case of sleep apnea!🥸

However, the machines mentioned above may be a little too noisy for light sleepers, and if that’s the case for you don’t worry there are other solutions to fit your needs.

Oral Devices for Sleep Apnea

For those who cannot tolerate the whirring sounds of the CPAP machines, oral devices offer a much more viable alternative for you. 

These devices are custom-fitted by a dentist and made to help keep the airways open during sleep. 

Mandibular repositioning mouthpieces cover the upper and lower teeth, holding the lower jaw in a position that prevents airway blockage. 

Tongue-retaining devices, on the other hand, hold the tongue in a forward position to prevent it from obstructing the airway, ensuring you can sleep soundly at night.

Advanced Treatments and Surgical Options

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) devices are removable devices that stimulate and tone the tongue and upper airway muscles to prevent airway collapse during sleep. 

The FDA has also approved a hypoglossal nerve stimulation device, surgically implanted to activate specific nerves in the throat, keeping the airways open.

Though it may sound scary at first taking surgery and all, the procedure is extremely safe with only a 1.5% mortality rate, so don’t go writing a will just yet.🤡

Several surgical procedures can address sleep apnea, including adenotonsillectomy, which removes the tonsils and adenoids. 

Surgery to remove tissue from the mouth and throat can help enlarge the airway, while jaw advancement surgery moves the upper and lower jaw forward to create a larger airway space.

However, there are less invasive solutions, Orofacial therapy is different from the previous solutions mentioned before.

Orofacial therapy involves exercises for the mouth and facial muscles, which can be an effective treatment for sleep apnea in both children and adults. 

This treatment can help to strengthen and reposition the tongue and muscles controlling the upper airway, improving sleep quality.

Managing sleep apnea involves a combination of healthy lifestyle changes, medical devices, and, in some cases, surgical interventions. 

By consulting with your healthcare provider and exploring the most suitable treatment options, you can effectively combat sleep apnea and enhance your overall sleep quality.

By taking proactive steps and working closely with your healthcare provider, you can manage sleep apnea effectively and improve your quality of life.😎

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