Some studies suggest that CPAP treatment can be associated with weight gain during initial therapy. Weight loss is mainly recommended as an additional treatment alongside other interventions.
Tongue retaining devices keep the tongue forward so that it does not block the airway. These devices also help reduce the number of apnea events experienced, although studies have shown issues with compliance. People tend to prefer mandibular advancement devices over tongue retaining devices.
As with most health conditions, sleep apnea doesn’t resolve itself without treatment, and also like most health conditions, sleep apnea conditions can get worse without treatment.
Regarding the efficacy of surgical treatments for OSA, Dr. Cacho says the best results occur when tonsils that are too large are removed. Improvements may also occur in individuals with OSA who have a piece of their tongue removed to reduce its size, she adds.
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Automatic positive airway pressure (APAP): APAP machines offer greater flexibility than other devices by automatically adjusting as you breathe and responding to your specific needs and breathing patterns. APAP can detect snoring or airway obstruction and automatically increase or decrease the pressure.
of children. If you are diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, your health care provider may prescribe a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine for treatment. A CPAP machine delivers pressurized air as you sleep to ensure your airway stays open.
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There may arise rare instances of respiratory distress where a hospitalized patient would greatly benefit from CPAP but does not tolerate the mask or is not complaint due to delirium, agitation or factors such as very young age in children or the elderly. In such scenarios, mild sedation with low dose fentanyl or dexmedetomidine can be used to improve compliance, until the therapy is pelo longer indicated.
Surgery often alters the shape and position of the soft palate, which is the rear portion of the roof of the mouth. UPPP is the most common type of surgery used to treat OSA.
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Take note of your symptoms and sleep habits to help your doctor have a clear picture of how OSA affects your life. Together, you can develop a treatment plan to help reduce your apnea events.
An estimated 18 million Americans live with sleep apnea, click here often using a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine to get a better night's sleep.
Research shows that losing excess weight can reduce the severity of OSA symptoms. A combination of a change in diet and moderate exercise may be recommended. However, weight loss alone cannot completely eliminate OSA.