CPAP Machine
CPAP is a machine which blows air at a particular pressure inside the airway passage of the affected person. This in turn enables smooth and easy breathing for the patient.
Advantages
- Gold standard of care for severe sleep apnea
- Safe
- Effective
- Immediate relief
- Studies show that CPAP helps the heart to function better, including the control of cholesterol
Disadvantages
- Difficult to use, so many patients tend to stop its use within the first year
- May be claustrophobic, uncomfortable or embarrassing. Only proper fit can avoid discomfort
- The machine may sometimes turn out to be noisy
- A lifelong treatment using CPAP can be difficult psychologically
- Not portable
Surgery
Types of Procedures:
- Nasal airway surgery
- Palate implants
- Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty
- Tongue reduction
- Genioglossus advancement
- Hyoid suspension
- Maxillomandibular procedures
- Tracheostomy
- Bariatric surgery and
- Combinations of the above
Advantages
- Avoids use of CPAP or night-time appliances
- Can provide permanent relief
Some risks associated with surgery include:
- Pain
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Scar tissue
- Loss of work
- Change in voice
- Problems swallowing
- Failure to cure sleep apnea
- Anaesthesia risks (including allergic reaction, stroke, heart attack and death)
- As well as other unforeseen surgical complications
Lifestyle Changes
- Weight loss
- Eliminate the use of alcohol, tobacco and sedatives such as sleeping pills
- Sleep on your side
- Regularize your sleep hours
Advantages
- Un-intrusive
- Can be done independently
- May work in mild cases
Disadvantages
- Difficult to maintain
- Does not work in moderate to severe cases
Dental Appliances
A small oral appliance, best fitted by a dentist with special training, that pushes the jaw slightly forward allowing better airflow.
Advantages
- Easier to use and easier to maintain when compared to other complicated devices like CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure)
- Studies show most patients prefer its use to CPAP
- Improvement in sleep in many patients
- Extraordinary reduction in snoring in many patients
- Dental devices are small in size and as such can be conveniently used even when the patient is traveling
- Oral appliances are considered to be more effective than most types of surgery
Disadvantages
- Most effective in mild to moderate cases but it is recommended for severe sleep apnea if CPAP can’t be tolerated
- Requires regular dental supervision to ensure proper use
- May produce side effects such as soreness; damage to jaw, teeth and mouth; saliva build-up and in rare cases nausea
- Permanent changes in the position of teeth and jaw occur in some cases where patients use it on a long term basis
