5 Alternative Sleep Apnea Treatment Options

If you have been suffering from sleep apnea, your doctor may recommend CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure). However, there are some major hurdles that you need to overcome when acquiring CPAP. Therefore, some people will respond better with an alternative treatment. These will not be accompanied by many risks and will only require a minimal investment. Such solutions will offer you relief and greatly enhance the quality of your life.

Types of Alternative Solutions for Sleep Apnea

There are a wide range of solutions that can provide you relief; ranging from losing weight to asking for the assistance of our dental clinic in Winnipeg. Some solutions may work better than others depending on your situation.

1. Weight Loss

Sleep apnea is more common among obese and overweight patients. In case this applies to you, you should consider shedding a few extra pounds. Usually, losing at least 10% of your total body weight will correct the problem. Obese individuals generally have narrow airways. This is due to the extra fat in their tongue. Exercise and diet would be an effective treatment for your condition. Sadly, most people will have additional factors that contribute to their sleep apnea. Therefore, maintaining an ideal BMI will not always deliver the results that you are hoping for.

2. Change Your Sleep Position

You may snore a lot when you are lying on your back. In the event that this is the cause of your sleep apnea, you will notice a significant improvement in your condition. There are a few effective solutions, one of them would be to place a tennis ball at the back of your shirt. By wearing this, you will avoid sleeping on your back. If you are willing to spend money, you should invest in positioners such as Night Shift, Zzoma, and Slumber Bump.

Another effective method is to elevate the head of the bed. Some people will reduce episodes of sleep apnea if the head of their bed has been slightly raised. Try to use a sleep-wedge type of pillow. You may also use an adjustable bed to elevate your head and eliminate apnea and snoring. There are newer models of beds that allow you to adjust the head of the bed automatically, this may be worth checking out.

3. Ask Your Dentist about Oral Appliances

Our dental clinic in Winnipeg may recommend different oral appliances that are designed to fix your anatomical problem. For those who have recessed and short jaws, there are mandibular devices that will shift your oral system into the right position. This is intended to push your tongue forward which will reduce crowding and prevent narrow airways. A custom-fit appliance will be introduced to you at your dental office. You will be encouraged to wear this at night. This can be effective in treating mild and moderate cases of sleep apnea. Some people experience subtle side effects from using oral appliances such as a jaw joint problem, teeth movement, dry mouth, and discomfort. Inform us at once if you are experiencing some difficulties. This will help us provide a better solution for you.

4. Surgical Option

There are different surgical options that may be performed to correct your problem. The most common surgery would be UPPP (uvulopalatopharyngoplasty). This will remove the extra tissues in your upper airways which include the tissues in your throat and at the back of your mouth. This will usually be enough to eliminate snoring but there are cases when your sleep apnea will persist. The doctor may also recommend surgical treatment on your soft palate. You can also opt for tracheostomy which is performed on the front section of your windpipe. In some cases, especially for kids, removing the adenoids and tonsils may relieve apnea.

5. Changes in Your Lifestyle

There are some changes in your lifestyle that can contribute to correcting your sleep problem. For instance, staying away from alcoholic drinks and quitting smoking can relive the symptoms related to sleep apnea. The alcohol can relax the muscles of your throat which will encourage snoring. If a patient is suffering from an allergy, ingesting decongestant will improve the airflow through their nose. Cognitive behavioral therapy would be another effective solution. Any undesired behaviors and thoughts can be eliminated by a behavioral specialist to help you achieve a restful and relaxing sleep.

If you are struggling to enhance your breathing while you are asleep, be sure to seek the help of professionals at our dental clinic in Winnipeg. We have the skills and knowledge to provide you expert and personalized advice for your problem.