I’ve only been using CPAP therapy for a couple of weeks. I use a nose pillow with chinstrap to keep my mouth closed. I was able to go 7-10 hours right from the start.
Your doctor can also discuss alternatives to CPAP if you are unable to use CPAP therapy, if it has not been effective for you, or if you simply want to explore your other options.
The Inspire system is typically implanted during an outpatient procedure under general anesthetic. The system is placed under the skin of the neck and chest through 2 small incisions. Specifics and any risks should be discussed with your doctor.
Choice of machine and level of air pressure will be determined by a sleep specialist after you have undergone an overnight study, usually at a sleep centre. The levels are then adjusted or ‘titrated’ after you have had an opportunity to get used to the machine at home.
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is a type of positive airway pressure, where the air flow is introduced into the airways to maintain a continuous pressure to constantly stent the airways open, in people who are breathing spontaneously. Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) is the pressure in the alveoli above atmospheric pressure at the end of expiration. CPAP is a way of delivering PEEP but also maintains the set pressure throughout the respiratory cycle, during both inspiration and expiration.
When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Products or services may be offered by an affiliated entity. Learn more.
and keep the jaw in a position that prevents it from blocking the upper airway. These devices are silent, easy to use, and less expensive than CPAP machines. However, mandibular advancement devices work best for people who have mild OSA or those who experience OSA only when sleeping on their back.
Hypoglossal nerve stimulation is a treatment for obstructive sleep apnea that uses a surgical procedure to implant a device in the upper chest.
In the case of severe OSA,a health care provider or sleep specialist may suggest a person consider surgical options, should the obstruction blocking the airway require removal. Speak with a health care provider or sleep expert to help determine the best CPAP alternatives for your specific needs.
Changing sleep positions can also help reduce OSA symptoms in some people. Alternative sleeping positions may include sleeping on one’s side instead of on their back or sleeping with one’s head slightly elevated, says Dr.
Alternative treatments may be recommended only after trying CPAP and finding it is not suitable for your situation. If you breathe irregularly as you sleep, wake up gasping for breath, or feel excessively sleepy during the day, you may be experiencing symptoms of sleep apnea.
Home remedies are typically complimentary to a doctor’s recommended approach for treating sleep apnea and are not enough to treat moderate to severe cases of sleep apnea.
Adjusting to CPAP therapy can be challenging for a variety of reasons including discomfort to air delivery, irritation from a device’s mask or difficulty acclimating to a machine’s sound level.
Oral appliances are devices made by a dentist and customized to get more info an individual’s mouth shape and size. There are two types of devices: mandibular repositioning mouthpieces, which hold the lower jaw in position, and tongue-retaining devices, which hold the tongue in position.