What is the Treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
The most widely used treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is CPAP, which stands for continuous positive airway pressure. Less common treatments are surgery and the use of oral appliances. The latter treatments can be effective for some people, but not as many as those who CPAP works well for. All of these forms of treatment should also include any needed weight loss, exercise and avoidance of alcohol, sedatives and hypnotics.
CPAP therapy provides air pressure that opens the obstructed airway while you sleep. Using CPAP can change your life dramatically for the better if you have obstructive sleep apnea. If you use CPAP and are compliant with it you may experience the following benefits from it:
* Increased levels of energy and ability to focus during the day
* Fewer morning headaches
* Less irritability
* Improved memory
* Waking up less during the night
* Increased ability to exercise
* Improved overall quality of life
It is very important that you use your CPAP device every night when you sleep. Otherwise, you will go back to your previous level of snoring, sleep apnea and sleepniess during the day. If you nap during the day it is suggested that you also wear your CPAP at that time.
Leaving obstructive sleep apnea untreated has been shown to contribute to other serious medical conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, heart attack, irregular heart beat and stroke. Sleep apnea can also contribute to driving and work related accidents due to the sleepiness experienced by sufferers.
If you suspect that you have obstructive sleep apnea, you should see your doctor for referral to a sleep specialist. The sleep specialist will recommend that you have a sleep study which can provide the doctor with the information he needs to evaluate how you breathe during sleep. He will then recommend the treatment options that are best for you.
