Sleep apnea is becoming more and more common among obese people. It is when you have more than one pause in swallowing or breathing during sleep.
Sleep apnea treatments include mouthpieces, a lifestyle change, breathing devices, and sometimes surgery to correct the problem.
Mouthpiece
A mouthpiece or an oral appliance is for people with a more mild form of sleep apnea. The oral appliance may also be used for those people who snore but don't have sleep apnea.
An orthodontist or dentists will custom fit you with the mouthpiece for treating your sleep apnea. You may need periodic doctor visits to adjust the oral appliance for comfort and to avoid pain.
Lifestyle change
A few simple lifestyle changes may help those with mild sleep apnea.
· Keep your nasal passages open by using a nasal strip, nose spray or allergy medication
· Stop smoking
· Don't drink alcohol or take medications that make you sleepy because it makes it difficult for your throat to close at night
· Loose weight, even a little weight loose will help improve your symptoms
· Sleep on your side instead of your back, this will help your throat to stay open
Breathing devices
CPAP - Continuous positive airway pressure is one of the most common treatments for moderate to severe treatments for sleep apnea. Gently blowing air into your throat, the CPAP machine uses a mask that fits over your mouth and nose or sometimes just your nose.
Stopping snoring is not the same as stopping the sleep apnea. You must continue to use the CPAP machine even if you stop snoring. Sleep apnea will return if you are using the CPAP machine incorrectly or you stop using it all together.
A CPAP technician comes to your house and sets up the machine for you and makes any adjustments that may be needed.
The only side affects that have been reported with the CPAP machine is stuffy or dry nose, sore eyes, headaches and irritated skin on your face. If the CPAP isn't installed correctly or adjusted just right to your face, you may experience discomfort and stomach bloat.
If you are experiencing trouble with your CPAP, work with your sleep specialist to make the proper adjustments to the machine so you are more comfortable and get better results. There may not be enough moisture in the air the CPAP is producing and some nasal spray will take care of that. People who suffer from severe sleep apnea usually feel much better after they begin using the CPAP.
Surgery
Surgery for sleep apnea is done to widen the breathing passage to allow for more air to pass through during sleep. This is done by shrinking, removing or stiffening the excess tissue in the throat, mouth or resetting the lower jaw.
When shrinking the tissue, several shots or scrapping is done in the doctor's office with a local anesthetic. To stiffen the excess tissue, an incision is made and small, stiff plastic tubing is placed in the tissue.
