Sleep apnea is a chronic condition that causes you to stop breathing while you sleep. It can have a negative impact on your mental and physical health, as well as your overall quality of life. Fortunately, there are several non-surgical options that can help you get better sleep.
The Impact of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a very serious medical condition that can lead to significant health issues if not properly addressed. It affects more than 18 million Americans and is commonly associated with obesity, increasing age, smoking, and other medical conditions. Sleep apnea can result in excessive daytime sleepiness, chronic fatigue, and a decreased quality of life, and it has been linked to a variety of serious health problems, including high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack, and Type 2 diabetes.
Treating Sleep Apnea Without Surgery
The main treatment for sleep apnea is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. This involves wearing a mask and delivering a continuous and consistent flow of air to your lungs to keep your airway open while you sleep. However, many people find CPAP therapy to be uncomfortable, and it can be challenging to keep it in place throughout the entire night.
Thankfully, there are non-surgical options for treating sleep apnea that can help you get better sleep without the use of CPAP therapy. Once you’re diagnosed with sleep apnea, it’s important to discuss potential non-surgical treatments with your healthcare provider.
Lifestyle Changes
Making certain lifestyle changes can be very helpful in reducing the severity of your sleep apnea. Some changes you might consider include losing weight, quitting smoking, avoiding alcohol and sedatives before bed, and improving your sleep hygiene. Studies have shown that making these types of lifestyle changes can have a positive impact on your sleep apnea symptoms.
Oxygen Therapy
If you have moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea, you may be a candidate for oxygen therapy. This treatment involves using a device that delivers specific levels of oxygen to your lungs while you sleep. In some cases, oxygen therapy can help keep your airway open, reducing the severity of your symptoms.
Positive Airway Pressure Oral Appliances
Positive airway pressure oral appliances are a popular non-surgical option for treating sleep apnea. These small, custom-fitted devices are designed to fit in your mouth and keep your airway open while you sleep. The amount of positive airway pressure delivered by these oral appliances can be adjusted to meet your specific needs, and they are much more comfortable to wear than CPAP masks.
In-Office Procedures
In-office procedures, such as uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA), can be very effective in treating sleep apnea in certain individuals. UPPP is a surgical procedure that involves removing tissue from the back of your throat in order to enlarge the airway, while RFA is a minimally-invasive procedure that uses radiofrequency energy to reduce the size of the soft tissue in your airway.
Conclusion
Having sleep apnea can be a serious inconvenience, but it is possible to get better sleep without surgery. By making certain lifestyle changes, using oxygen therapy, utilizing positive airway pressure oral appliances, and considering in-office procedures, you can find relief from your sleep apnea symptoms. Talk to your healthcare provider about the non-surgical options available to you and make a plan to start getting better sleep.