Treating Sleep Apnea: What Are Your Treatment Options?
Updated: Jul 17
Sleep apnea doesn’t have to control your life—you can find treatment options and it starts by seeing a sleep apnea specialist.
So, what is a sleep apnea specialist and what are your treatment options? Are you stuck wearing a loud CPAP device at night or are there other ways of treating the sleep disorder? We’ll take a look at how sleep apnea is diagnosed and how you can treat the condition.
Diagnosing Sleep Apnea
Your primary healthcare provider may perform an initial evaluation before referring you to a sleep apnea specialist.
The evaluation by your primary physician typically only focuses on your symptoms and a description of your sleep history. If you have a partner, they may be able to provide some information on your sleep habits. Your evaluation from a sleep disorder specialist is a little more involved.
You should expect the evaluation to include monitoring your sleep behavior, either at home or at the sleep center. Yes, it’s not uncommon for sleep centers to have quiet areas where patients can spend the night while being monitored by staff. Along with monitoring your breathing, other body functions like movement are also tracked. You may also undergo some testing to check if you’re suffering from sleep apnea or other type of sleep disorder.
Some tests can be administered at home, where you may bring home equipment to monitor your breathing patterns, heart rate, airflow, and blood oxygen levels. If a simple home test doesn’t provide a sleep specialist with a clear picture of your disorder, you may need more sophisticated testing.
A common type of sleep apnea test is nocturnal polysomnography. During sleep, a machine monitors your brain, heart, and lung activity. The test also monitors your arm and leg movements.
If your test results are abnormal, meaning it may indicate issues beyond sleep apnea, you may be referred to another type of specialist. For example, you may see an ear, nose, and throat doctor if your sleep apnea is caused by a blockage. If your heart rate levels are abnormal, you may need to make an appointment with a cardiologist.
Sometimes, your central nervous system is the underlying cause of your sleep apnea. In this case, you’ll see a neurologist.
Treating Sleep Apnea with Therapy
Mild cases of sleep apnea are often treated with therapy, which can include making lifestyle or behavioral changes.
Finding relief from sleep apnea may be as simple as changing your sleeping position. Maybe you always sleep on your back. Switching to the side may be all it takes to relieve your minor sleep apnea symptoms. Other lifestyle changes and behavior therapies can include losing excess weight, quitting smoking, and even turning your handheld devices off an hour or so before behind.
Did you know allergies can cause sleep apnea symptoms? Sometimes, simply treating your allergies can resolve any symptoms associated with sleep apnea. Sometimes, simply changing your lifestyle and behavior isn’t enough to relieve your sleep apnea symptoms. Your sleep disorder specialist may recommend additional therapies.
Airway Pressure Devices
A common sleep apnea therapy is using a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device. The machine ensures air pressure is constantly delivered while you’re sleeping.
The machine helps keep your upper air passages open, effectively stopping snoring and other sleep apnea symptoms. While CPAP devices are effective, they also have downsides. The machine is noisy and it’s not always easy to get a secure fit with the face mask.
Thankfully, your treatment options aren’t limited to a CPAP machine, you may be able to take advantage of other devices that are smaller and noticeably quieter. These air pressure devices can automatically adjust air pressure as you’re sleeping. However, before switching from a CPAP to another device, always consult with your healthcare provider.
Treating Sleep Apnea with Surgery
If other, non-invasive treatments aren’t working, you may need surgery to resolve your sleep apnea condition. You should plan on giving other therapies around three months or so before giving up and deciding surgery is your best option.
The type of surgery typically depends on the severity of your condition, along with its cause. With that being said, sometimes surgery is a better option than therapy. An example is if the position of your jawbone is responsible for your sleep apnea symptoms. Since repositioning your jawbone is the best treatment option, you’ll probably head straight for surgery.
Tissue Removal or Shrinkage
If tissue at the back of your mouth and throat is blocking airflow and causing snoring, the sleep apnea specialist may recommend surgery. During surgery, the excess or enlarged tissue can be removed. The surgeon typically removes your adenoids and tonsils during the procedure.
Sometimes, the tissue doesn’t need to be removed. Instead, the surgeon uses a process known as radiofrequency ablation. The procedure is generally less risky than removing the tissue and recovery times are often shorter.
Nerve Stimulation
During this surgical procedure, a tiny stimulator is inserted to help position the tongue in a way that keeps your airway open. The stimulator helps control tongue movement, especially during sleep.
Implants
Your sleep apnea specialist may recommend having plastic or polyester rods implanted into the soft palate tissue. This is a relatively easy surgical procedure that requires little to no downtime since only a local anesthetic is used to numb the area.
Tracheostomy
Sometimes, a patient suffering from sleep apnea isn’t responding to other treatments. These individuals have severe symptoms that may even be life-threatening. You may need to have a tracheostomy performed.
The procedure opens a new air passageway in your neck and places a small breathing tube in the opening. You insert the tube in the opening at night and cover the hole during the day. Yes, this is extensive and life-altering surgery but it may be necessary if your sleep apnea symptoms are severe.
You Can Sleep Better At Night
Sleep apnea makes it difficult to get a good night's rest, but relief from the symptoms is possible by taking the right steps.
A sleep apnea specialist can diagnose your condition and develop an effective treatment plan tailored to your needs. With professional help, you can improve your sleep quality and overall well-being.