Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatments

Sleep apnea is a disorder which is characterized by pause in the breathing pattern while sleeping. Each pause or episode is termed as apneas. Obstructive sleep apnea or obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is the one of the most common type of sleep apnea and is generally caused due to obstruction in the upper airways.

This kind of sleep apnea is usually associated with reduction in blood oxygen saturation and is characterized by the repetitive pauses in breathing while sleeping and typically last for 20 to 40 seconds and is commonly accompanied with snoring.

Some of the contributing factors or obstructive sleep apnea causes (OSA) could be enlarged tonsils, narrow nasal passages, and obesity. The condition is also contributed due to the use of tobacco, alcohols and other sedatives. The most common signs of obstructive sleep apnea are loud and chronic snoring. Snoring is generally loudest when you sleep on your back and it becomes less noisy when you turn on your side. It is not necessary that snoring will continue every night. But Snoring may happen more often than usual and gets louder.

Obstructive sleep apnea symptoms may include restless sleep, unexplained daytime sleepiness and loud snoring with a period of gasps. Other less common symptoms may include anxiety, depression, insomnia, headaches, trouble concentrating, heavy night sweat etc.

Some of the non surgical obstructive sleep apnea treatment may include:

• Change in behavior.
• Dental appliances.
• CPAP ( Continuous positive airway pressure )

Behavioral changes are considered as the simplest treatment for mild obstructive sleep apnea but are generally hardest to make. Generally a positive airway pressure that entails wearing of mask like device while sleeping that supplies pressurized air. It prevents airways from collapsing and is generally most recommended treatment for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea.

Orthodontist or a dentist can also make a custom fit plastic mouthpiece for the treatment of sleep apnea. The mouthpiece are specially designed so as to adjust lower jaw and tongue in a proper manner and keep your airways open while you are sleeping.

The most effective way for the treatment is by using continuous positive airway pressure machine in which air pressure is used for keeping upper airway passages continuously open while during sleep. Removal of the obstruction will improve sleeping condition and reverse hypertension metabolic abnormalities and cardiac problems that are associated with obstructive sleep apnea.

Obstructive sleep apnea diagnosis is performed by looking on family and medical histories of patient, usually primary doctor evaluate symptoms first which is then followed by the suitable treatment.