The goal of sleep apnea treatment is to restore normal breathing at night so that you can sleep soundly and feel well-rested during the day. If you suffer from mild sleep apnea, treatment may only require minimal changes to your lifestyle. These lifestyle changes may include: losing weight, quitting smoking, sleeping on your side rather than your back, and avoiding alcohol and medications that make you drowsy close to bedtime. Breathing solutions such as nasal spray, or nasal strips can also help if the obstruction is primarily in the nasal area. A custom fit mouth piece, also known as an oral appliance is another option for mild to moderate sleep apnea. Oral appliances help prevent the collapse of the tongue and soft tissues in the back of the throat, keeping the airway open during sleep and promoting adequate air intake. If your apnea is moderate to severe, or if the previously mentioned treatment methods are not effective, you may benefit from a CPAP breathing device. A Continuous Positive Airway Pressure breathing device (CPAP), delivers pressurized air while sleeping at night. As you breathe, the gentle pressure holds the nose, palate, and throat tissues open just enough to stop the airways from becoming narrowed or blocked. In some cases, surgery is the best option for people suffering from sleep apnea. There are a number of surgical procedures that can open your airway. These include the removal of the uvula, adenoids, and tonsils. Other procedures involve stiffening of the upper throat with implants, and the repositioning of your tongue. Sleep apnea affects adults as well as kids.
If you suspect that you or anyone in your family have the symptoms of sleep apnea, do not let it go undiagnosed. Lack of oxygen to the blood and lungs can cause serious side effects that can be life threatening. Sleep apnea is a chronic condition that requires long-term management. Your doctor will determine the best approach for you.