Treating Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Gadgets, Devices and Medication

Treatments Available for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

What causes Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)? Not exactly caused, it is termed as a type of sleep apnea that occurs due to upper airway obstructions that keep you from breathing properly during the night.

Found to be a serious sleep condition, this problem disallows you to have a peaceful rest at night by obstructing your breathing process. You may be suffering from sleep apnea if you snore loudly and experience fatigue even after a 7-8-hour sleep cycle.

Sleep apnea is categorized into 3 common types, namely obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea and complex sleep apnea syndrome. You can find the possible treatments for this problem in this post.

Symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Enlisted are the symptoms of OSA:

• Loud snoring
• Shortness of breath during sleep
• Awakening with a sore throat
• Insomnia
• Morning headache
• Hypersomnia (daytime sleepiness)
• Loss of focus
• Oral Appliance Therapy

Many treatments for this disorder exist! However, most of the dentists in Dubai have attained medical speciality with the right expertise to treat OSA. Usually, your dentist will prescribe oral appliance therapy that offers a protective device much like a mouth guard and an orthodontic retainer.

The device fits inside your mouth to assist the jaw in a position that allows open airway for proper breathing during the night.

Other Treatments for Obstructive Sleep Apnea:

• Lifestyle changes: In most cases, lifestyle changes can help eliminate most of the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea and even central sleep apnea. Mild sleep apnea symptoms can be treated through certain lifestyle changes that include weight loss, exercise and elimination of certain medications and alcohol from the daily routine. In addition, nasal sprays are a great way to clear airway passages from obstruction.
• Therapies and Oral breathing gadgets: The therapies for obstructive sleep apnea include Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), Expiratory positive airway pressure (EPAP), Supplemental oxygen treatment, Adaptive servo-ventilation (ASV) and Bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP).
• Medication: Medicines are usually not prescribed for sleep apnea; however, your specialist may choose to give you medication to stay awake during the day hours. Children may also be given mild medication to cure the mild symptoms of sleep apnea.
• Surgery: If the therapies and the oral gadgets fail to improve the condition, your specialist may prescribe surgical options that may include tissue removal surgery (in addition to the tissues of throat and mouth, the surgery may include the removal of adenoids and tonsils). Other forms of surgeries for obstructive sleep apnea include jaw repositioning and surgical implants that include plastic rods implantation in the soft palette, and tracheostomy.

If you suffer from complex sleep apnea syndrome; it is better that you contact your health specialist as home remedies may not be enough to eliminate the symptoms. Contact your health specialist today to see what treatment options will be best for your condition.