Sleep Apnea – Doctor-Prescribed Treatments
After a diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea, your healthcare provider may recommend one or more of the following medically supervised therapies:
Weight loss: If you are overweight, losing weight may help relieve the pressure on your airway that's causing nighttime pauses in breathing. Your doctor will probably recommend a weight loss program. If she or he doesn't, be sure to ask about weight loss as a treatment option.
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Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP): Your doctor may recommend that you be fitted with a nasal mask through which air is gently forced into your nostrils to keep the upper airway open. Using the device takes some getting used to, and about 2 weeks of nightly use are needed for maximum benefit.
Oral appliances: If your sleep apnea is mild and you are not overweight, a dentist can fit you with an appliance that keeps your upper airway open. Snoring, even without sleep apnea, may decrease by using this device. It's similar to a sports mouth guard and works by repositioning the lower jaw, tongue, and soft palate. Similar appliances are available over-the-counter, but studies have found that they are much less effective than those fitted by a doctor.
Surgery: If your condition is severe and other therapies have failed, your doctor may recommend a uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, a surgical procedure that enlarges the airway by removing certain soft tissue from the throat. This may include the uvula, the tonsils, and the adenoids, as well as a portion of the soft palate. Remember, however, that any surgery carries some risk, and success rates for this operation vary, so discuss the pros and cons with your healthcare provider before proceeding with the operation.
Prescription medications: People who suffer from excessive daytime tiredness because of sleep apnea may benefit from modafinil (Provigil), a medication that improves wakefulness.
Warning: Do NOT take sleep aids if you have or suspect you have sleep apnea. Sleep aids are not recommended for people with sleep apnea because they depress the central nervous system and can exacerbate pauses in breathing.
