As an APAP device, the pressure levels automatically adjust based on your breathing patterns. This is particularly beneficial for people who need higher pressure levels when breathing in, and lower levels when exhaling.
If a person is eligible for an oral appliance, it’s important to consult a qualified sleep dentist for a professional fitting and to help source an appliance customized for one’s individual needs, adds Dr. Postol.
Your daily habits and environment can significantly impact the quality of your sleep. Take the Sleep Quiz to help inform your sleep improvement journey.
Regarding the efficacy of surgical treatments for OSA, Dr. Cacho says the best results occur when tonsils that are too large are removed. Improvements may also occur in individuals with OSA who have a piece of their tongue removed to reduce its size, she adds.
We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
You should feel a mild sensation from the stimulation. Typically, patients feel a tingling sensation or mild contraction in their website tongue muscles.
A CPAP machine is a device that delivers constant air pressure into the airway through a motor that blows air into a tube-connected mask, allowing the airway to stay open during inhalation and exhalation. The mask is worn either in a user’s nostrils or over their nose and mouth during sleep.
The machine comes equipped with ClimateLineAir heated tubing that can be programmed for specific temperature and humidity levels for added comfort when breathing.
Some devices may work on the jaw and tongue at the same time. Oral appliances are considered a first-line treatment option for mild to moderate OSA and are recommended for people with severe OSA who have problems with higher pressure intolerance, are non-responders to a CPAP device (or prefer not to use a CPAP machine).
Most CPAP machines on the market today are fairly advanced, but the ResMed AirSense 11 AutoSet offers an assortment of features to help you breathe comfortably during sleep.
Although both weight loss and CPAP treatment are considered effective ways of reducing OSA symptoms, research is conflicting.
Regular aerobic exercise can benefit sleep apnea symptoms, whether weight loss is involved or not, says Dr. Cacho. Researchers aren’t exactly sure why exercise is helpful in reducing sleep apnea symptoms with or without weight loss, but one theory is that exercise may improve sleep quality.
There are a number of problems that can occur, usually during the first weeks of treatment with CPAP. They are mostly mild and it is normally possible to overcome all of them.
Compliance Matters: Many people quit CPAP therapy due to initial discomfort. To get the most out of your treatment, practice wearing your mask and keep your equipment clean.