Treatments available for obstructive sleep apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a type of sleep apnea that occurs due to upper airway obstructions that keep you from breathing properly during the night. It is a serious sleep condition that repeatedly obstructs the breathing during the night making it difficult to have a peaceful, full night’s rest. You may be suffering from sleep apnea if you snore loudly and experience fatigue even after a 7-8 hours sleep cycle. Sleep apnea is categorized in 3 common types, namely obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea and complex sleep apnea syndrome. In this post, we will look at the treatment options for obstructive sleep apnea.
Symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea
Symptoms can include:
- Loud snoring
- Shortness of breath during sleep
- Awakening with a sore throat
- Insomnia
- Morning headache
- Hypersomnia (day time sleepiness)
- Loss of focus
Oral Appliance Therapy
There are various types of treatments for obstructive sleep apnea; most dentists in Dubai are specialized medical officers with the right expertise to treat the disorder. Usually, your dentist will prescribe oral appliance therapy that offers a protective device much like 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.
The 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 daily routine. In addition, nasal sprays are a great way to clear airway passages from obstruction. Over-the-counter medication, such as sleeping pills, can help you sleep better if you utilize them with saline nasal sprays.
- 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.
For a quick home treatment, you can utilize saline nasal spray to keep the nasal passages clear at night. However, 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.