Sleep apnea is diagnosed on the basis of the medical and sleep history of a person. The sleep history is usually provided by the person who shares a bed with the patients, and doctors may also advise the patient to visit a sleep disorder center. The center will monitor the patient’s sleep overnight, and this includes various body functions and breathing.
Continuous positive airway pressure has to be maintained to prevent the development of the symptoms of sleep apnea. In the cases of mild sleep apnea, doctors recommend lifestyle changes that include avoiding smoking or losing weight. It may be that the patient has nasal allergies, so the doctor may also recommend treatment for allergies. If the condition ranges from moderate to severe, there are many devices available to open the blocked airways, and surgery is also an option:
Oral appliances
Oral appliances help keep the airway and throat open. Some devices treat positional obstructive sleep apnea. You wear the palm-size device comfortably across your chest. The device sends vibrations to prompt you to shift off your back. It is gentle enough as to not wake you up but intense enough to ensure you sleep in a healthy and safe position.
Try Nightbalance by Philips here.
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)and other airway pressure devices
Airway pressure devices include those that adjust the pressure automatically while sleeping. These include auto CPAP and bilevel BiPAP. The air in these devices for the treatment of sleep apnea is more when inhaling and less when patients are exhaling.
Patients can benefit a lot from a CPAP device if they are experiencing moderate sleep apnea. The pressure in this device is more than the outside air but just enough to keep the airway open to prevent snoring and sleep apnea. Although many find the device cumbersome, patients may get used to it over time and by adjusting the straps.
Surgery
There are several surgical options available:
- Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) is a tissue removal procedure, wherein tissue from the top of the throat and the rear of the mouth is removed, along with adenoids and tonsils. Removing the extra tissue with the help of radio frequency energy /radiofrequency ablation is an option if patients cannot stand CPAP and other oral appliances.
- Tissue shrinkage is a method that shrinks the tissue at the rear of the mouth and back of the throat for the treatment of mild to moderate sleep apnea.
- Jaw repositioning is done by moving the jaw forward and away from the other face bones so that the space between the tongue and soft palate reduces the obstruction.
- Nerve stimulation is a surgery for the insertion of a stimulator for the nerve that controls the tongue so that the airway stays open.
- Creating a new airway (tracheostomy) is recommended for severe sleep apnea if other treatments have failed. In this surgery, a new air passage is created by making an opening in the neck and inserting a plastic or metal tube through which the patient can breathe.
This opening has to be covered during the day and opened at night to allow the air to pass.
