Methods Used to Treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can be treated infar enough so that some OSA sufferers are able to
numerous ways. What needs to be looked at is thegain improved breathing.
patient's medical history, the disorder's severity, andWhen such methods fail to make enough of a
crucially, the exact cause of the airway blockage.beneficial impression GP's will often suggest the use of
Kids that have OSA do so typically due to chronicallycontinuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).
enlarged adenoids and tonsils. Tonsillectomies andCPAP comes in the form of a mask attached to the
adenoidectomies are successful at diminishing OSAface which has a tube running from an air pump to the
substantially. The difficulty level associated withsufferer's mouth and/ or nose, forcing controlled bursts
operations to reduce OSA in children can be very high,of air through the obstructed air passageways and
as for example with cases of reduced growth of theinto the lungs. CPAP uses a constant air pressure
body alongside poor development of the right side offound by performing an overnight test or 'titration' on
the heart. Fortunately, when OSA-associated highthe sufferer. Recent models of CPAP contraptions
exhalation pressures are lowered complications to theare able to reduce the exhalation pressure for
cardiovascular system tend to reverse of their ownimproved performance and patient comfort.
accord. Careful precautionary practices are adheredVariable positive airway pressure (VPAP), known also
to during the important postoperative period in children.as bilevel or BiPAP, monitors the patients breathing
OSA treatment in adults who have poorwith an electronic circuit. Two different pressures are
oropharyngeal airways in combination with a largeadopted here, inhalation has a higher pressure than
upper body frame are open to a variety ofexhalation. This system is more expensive than CPAP
treatments. Unfortunately, this most common form ofand is often used on people that have other
OSA tends not to have particular treatment methodsrespiratory problems or who find sleeping with higher
that habitually work, each case needs specificexhaling pressures from CPAP difficult.
evaluation over the best course of action.Automatic positive airway pressure (APAP) uses
Such methods for relieving obstructions consist ofsensors that measure air pressure in conjunction with
changes to the sufferer's lifestyle, e.g. reducinga computer that monitors the patient's performance
alcoholic intake, avoiding medications that may relaxwith breathing. Pressures exerted by the air pump are
the central nervous system (CNS) (e.g. sedatives,constantly adjusted, i.e. heightened when the user is
muscle relaxants), stopping smoking and reducingfinding breathing difficult, lowered when pressures are
weight. Specially designed devices, such as pillows, thatconsidered higher than necessary.
stop the sufferer from sleeping on their back can beVarious surgical ways of widening airways, or
effective in reducing OSA.removing or tightening tissues in that area are used, the
Oral appliances are sometimes used, these keep thesuccess rate tends to be low with these practices. In
patients airways open whilst they are asleep.some cases patients adopt a combination of such
Mandibular advancement splints (MAS) are sometimestherapies to reduce their OSA. Surgery is typically a
advised to lessen mild to moderate OSA. MASlast resort, used when none of the above, as well as
consists of a mouth guard, similar to that used withother more experimental OSA reduction methods (e.g.
impact sports to protect the teeth, which holds thepharmaceuticals like methylxanthine theophylline and
lower jaw a little more down and forward from itsmodafinil, and neurostimulation e.g. pacemaker
usual relaxed position. When in use the users tongue isstimulation), have been deemed effective.
moved farther from the back of the airways, possibly