“What medicines are normally recommended to treat sleep apnea?”
My mother in law is suffering from sleep apnea due to her kidney disease. Are there any medicines or approaches that can help in treating her condition?
3 Answers
There are no "pills" that can cure sleep apnea. The gold standard of sleep apnea has been positive pressure (CPAP.BI-Level, etc.). Must talk to a sleep specialist.
Sleep apnea is generally treated with devices such as CPAP or mandibular repositioning splints or sometimes with surgery or dental work. For all but the most minor apnea there is no medication. Sometimes if stuffy nose or allergies contribute, medication to unclog the nose is helpful but this is not a particularly common circumstance.
Sleep apnea is caused by either blocking air flow during sleeep not breathing during sleep. Either way you (and your brain, heart, kidneys, etc. )are not getting enough oxygen. A pill is not the solution. There are various tests - some can be done at home. - that can diagnose the various kinds of sleep apnea.
