Treatment for Sleep Apnea
Dr. Raj Khurana is a Dentist practicing in South Holland, IL for 27 years. Dr. Khurana specializes in preventing, diagnosing, and treating diseases and conditions associated with the mouth and overall dental health. Dentists are trained to carry out such treatment as professional cleaning, restorative, prosthodontic, and... more
Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder characterized by interrupted breathing during sleep, which can lead to fatigue, disrupted sleep, and other health problems. Some of the most common treatments for Sleep Apnea include:
A. CPAP Therapy (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure): This treatment involves wearing a mask that covers the nose and/or mouth during sleep, which is connected to a machine that delivers a constant flow of air to keep the airway open. The positive aspect is the continuous airflow. The negative is the bulky device and the noise generated, along with the difficulty to travel with it.
B. Surgery: This may be recommended to treat sleep apnea. One is the UPPP which removes excess tissue from the throat to open the airway and increase the space. Another is Inspire, which is an implant placed near the neck and chest wall. It provides a stimulus to the tongue to help open the airway.
C. Oral Appliance: This is another choice and the easiest to use. It is an appliance fabricated by dentists who are knowledgeable in this. It works by repositioning the jaw and tongue to help open the airway.
Whichever choice is taken, ultimately certain lifestyle changes need to be done to reduce sleep apnea symptoms. This may include losing weight, quitting smoking, avoiding alcohol and sedatives, and sleeping on your side instead of your back.
Discuss with your Primary Care Physician which option would be the best. Either treatment is not a cure, it is a help. However, lifestyle changes are important to achieve a balance.
Dr. Raj Khurana. DDS
