If you’ve recently been diagnosed with sleep apnea, you may be wondering if there is a cure. Unfortunately, there is not a cure for sleep apnea, but there are ways you can treat your symptoms and find the relief you crave. Follow along as ApneaMed shares a few remedies and treatment options you can try to alleviate some sleep apnea symptoms.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that causes the individual to stop breathing multiple times during the night. This happens when the soft palate of their throat collapses, causing a blockage in their airway. As a result, the patient gasps or chokes as they attempt to reopen the blocked airway.
Most individuals with sleep apnea aren’t aware that this is happening, and it is often noticed by a partner who hears them choking in their sleep or snoring loudly. Sleep apnea can lead to additional health problems such as diabetes, stroke, and heart disease if left untreated. While there is no cure, there are various treatment options that can provide relief.
How to Treat Sleep Apnea
Every case of sleep apnea is different, so you must get a board-certified sleep physician to determine the proper treatment plan for your sleep apnea. Depending on the severity, you may be able to make lifestyle changes to prevent apneas. Breathing equipment may keep your throat clear throughout the night. Here are a few different ways to treat sleep apnea.
Diet
Although not all sleep apnea patients are overweight, sleep apnea is a side effect of obesity. When the individual is carrying extra weight on their body, including their neck, their neck muscles are more prone to collapsing while they sleep and blocking their airway.
Exercising regularly and eating healthy can help you lose weight and, as a result, experience less frequent breathing disruptions.
Sleeping Position
If you have sleep apnea, it’s important to note what position you sleep in each night. Certain sleeping positions can make breathing disruptions more prevalent, causing you to get poor-quality sleep. Individuals who sleep on their back are more likely to have their throat collapse during the night. Try altering your sleep position to your side or stomach to keep your airway open through the night.
Oral Appliances
Depending on the severity of the sleep apnea, the patient may be able to utilize an oral appliance instead of automatic airway pressure (APAP) therapy. Oral appliances, such as mouthguards, help individuals reposition their jaw or tongue while they sleep to prevent it from blocking their airways during the night.
A sleep physician will be able to determine if an oral appliance is a recommended form of treatment for your sleep apnea. Anyone with more severe sleep apnea should continue to rely on APAP therapy.
AutoPAP Therapy
With an automatic airway pressure machine, a patient suffering from sleep apnea receives air pressure that automatically adjusts throughout their sleep to ensure they receive the correct air pressure needed at each moment. An APAP machine is an excellent option because it allows a person to get the optimal air pressure they need and will automatically adjust throughout all the stages of sleep.
An APAP machine offers both a continuous mode (otherwise known as CPAP) and an auto-adjusting mode. Because of this automatic pressure, it also provides enhanced comfort for users because it will only deliver the exact pressure you need — which is why more patients opt for APAP therapy than any other type.
Testing and Treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Although sleep apnea can’t be cured, there are plenty of options for treating your symptoms and allowing you to get a better night’s sleep. If you suspect you have sleep apnea, a sleep specialist can help you navigate the process of testing for sleep apnea and determining the best treatment plan. If diagnosed with sleep apnea, the sleep physician will provide you with a recommended treatment plan supplemented with these home remedies to promote better sleep.
If you’re interested in learning more about the different sleep apnea treatment options, contact ApneaMed today.