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Have you ever woken up from deep sleep suddenly gasping for air? Have you ever felt like your sleep is always disturbed, and it's difficult to breathe at night while asleep? If yes, you likely suffer from sleep apnea! Discover effective treatment options for managing sleep apnea and improving your quality of life.
Understanding Sleep Apnea and its Effect on Health
Sleep apnea is a complicated sleep disorder that can significantly impact one's overall well-being. It affects around one out of every three Singaporeans. Sleep apnea has three main types: obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), central sleep apnea (CSA), and a combination of both. OSA is the most common form. With proper diagnosis and knowledge of the issue, sleep apnea can be easily managed.
This condition is characterised by pauses in breathing or shallow breaths during sleep, which disrupt rest and lead to various health issues.
These interruptions in breathing can vary in duration, from just a few seconds to several minutes, occurring repeatedly throughout the night. As a result, individuals with sleep apnea often experience symptoms such as:
- Daytime fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating
- Increased risk of accidents while operating machinery or driving due to involuntary micro-naps
- And severe health conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke
Being aware of the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea is vital in seeking appropriate medical attention for a proper diagnosis. Undergoing a sleep study, whether in a specialised sleep laboratory or in the comfort of your own home, can provide valuable insights into the extent of your sleep apnea and aid in tailoring appropriate treatment strategies.
For more information on sleep apnea, check out our other article!
What are the common treatment options for sleep apnea?
There are several treatment options for managing sleep apnea. Treatment varies based on severity and individual needs. It is essential to work closely with your healthcare provider to determine the most appropriate treatment option for you. Some standard treatment options include:
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Therapy
A CPAP therapy requires wearing a mask over your mouth or nose during sleep. When connected to a machine, the mask provides a constant airflow for uninterrupted breathing.
Oral Appliances
These include custom-made mouthguards worn in the mouth during sleep. They help to readjust the jaw and tongue by bringing them forward, keeping the airway open, and reducing the occurrence of apnea.
Surgery
In some cases, surgery treatment may be advised to remove excess tissue or correct structural abnormalities.
Lifestyle Changes
Making specific lifestyle changes can also help to manage sleep apnea. These include maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding consuming alcohol before bed and sleeping on your side instead of your back.
What is Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy for sleep apnea treatment?
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy is a well-established and effective treatment for sleep apnea. It involves placing a mask over your nose or mouth as you drift off to sleep, connected to a machine that delivers a steady flow of air.
CPAP machines are a highly effective treatment option for obstructive sleep disorders. By delivering a steady stream of air pressure through a mask, CPAP machines help keep the airways open, ensuring uninterrupted breathing during sleep. Consistent and accurate use of CPAP therapy is paramount for optimal outcomes. Your healthcare provider will help determine the appropriate pressure settings and offer mask adjustment and upkeep guidance.
CPAP therapy is significantly helpful in relieving sleep apnea symptoms like excessive daytime drowsiness and snoring. Although CPAP therapy is known to be highly effective, some individuals may find it uncomfortable while sleeping. It restricts movement and limits sleeping positions, often forcing individuals to sleep on their backs. It can also generate noise, potentially disrupting your partner's sleep. It is also not convenient for travel purposes.
In such instances, alternative treatment avenues can be explored. Besides a CPAP machine, oral appliances which adjust the jaw and tongue position to keep the airway open offer an alternative solution.
What are oral appliances for sleep apnea treatment?
Beyond CPAP and oral devices, there are other treatment options for managing sleep disorders and these include oral appliances, or custom-made mouthguards, that are worn during sleep. Oral appliances and surgery are alternative treatment options for sleep apnea, particularly for individuals who are unable to benefit from CPAP therapy. Oral appliances are usually recommended for mild to moderate sleep apnea.
At Dental Designs Clinic, our dentists are able to help determine if oral appliances or surgery treatment is appropriate. Additionally, Invisalign or traditional braces may also help, by changing the way you bite or by bringing a backwards-positioned lower jaw forwards. In such cases, sleep apnea can be treated by moving the teeth and expanding the jaw to increase space in the mouth, which can improve tongue positioning!
You can read more about Invisalign treatment here! Our dentist can advise you if orthodontic treatment will improve your sleep apnea.
What are the lifestyle changes for sleep apnea treatment?
In addition to these medical treatments, specific lifestyle changes and alternative therapies can help manage sleep apnea and improve your quality of life.
Maintaining a Healthy Weight
Losing weight can reduce fat deposits in your throat, which can help keep your airway open. Weight loss can significantly reduce the severity to treat obstruction, especially in cases where excess weight is a contributing factor.
Avoiding Alcohol and Sedatives
Alcohol substances can relax the muscles in your throat too much, making it easier for your airway to collapse. For mild obstruction, lifestyle changes such as avoiding sleeping pills and sleeping on your side can also be beneficial.
Sleeping on Your Side
Sleeping on your back can pull your tongue and soft tissues back into your throat, blocking your airway. Sleeping on your side can help keep your airway open.
Consulting a sleep specialist
Consulting a sleep specialist can provide a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to your needs, addressing underlying health problems like enlarged tonsils that may contribute to sleep apnea. Monitoring blood oxygen levels during sleep can further guide the effectiveness of the treatment and ensure optimal management of the disorder.
Conclusion
Remember that managing sleep apnea requires an overall approach that may involve a combination of treatments. Regardless of your body weight or age, a dentist can play a crucial role in evaluating oral health and addressing oral factors contributing to obstructing sleep apnea.
Ready to book a sleep apnea consultation with us? Simply drop us a message here and we will be right with you!
References
- Sleep disordered breathing: management update | Anna Mhammedieh, Kate Sutherland, Peter A. Cistulli | https://doi.org/10.1111/imj.13606