Two types of positive airway pressure used to alleviate the symptoms of sleep apnea are the Continuous Positive Airway Pressure and Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure.
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the effective noninvasive medical treatment to eliminate snoring and prevent sleep apnea. The CPAP consists of a portable machine that has a mask, tubes and fan. The patient is required to wear the sealed mask that is connected to a long hose, over the nose during sleep. CPAP works by gently blowing pressurized air through the nasal passage of the patient at a pressure high enough to prevent the throat from collapsing during sleep. This pressurized air works as a pneumatic splint. The air pressure is constant and continuous and can be adjusted as per the patient’s need at a level that eliminates sleep apnea. Although CPAP is an extremely effective method of treating sleep apnea, many people may find it a bit cumbersome and uncomfortable. The Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure involves positive pressure at different settings on inspiration and expiration.
Another option is the oral appliance, indicated for use in patients with mild-to-moderate sleep apnea who are unresponsive to or are inappropriate candidates for behavioral interventions including weight loss, positional therapy (avoiding the supine position in bed) and eliminating evening alcohol and sedatives. Oral or dental appliances reposition the lower jaw and the tongue, thus opening up the space at the back of the throat, and thereby helping to treat sleep apnea. There are various devices that prevent the tongue from falling back over the airway (a tongue retaining device) or a mandibular advancement device (MAD) which is moved to an anterior and forward position. MAD is the most common type of oral appliance and is often adjustable by the dentist or orthodontist. Reported side effects include damage to teeth, soft tissue and temporomandibular joint.
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Sleep Apnea Masks
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Sleep apnea masks provide continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and are the most effective noninvasive medical treatment to eliminate snoring and prevent sleep apnea. The CPAP consists of a portable machine with a mask, tubes and fan. The patient wears the sealed mask, which is...
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Sleep Apnea Treatment
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The goal of treatment for sleep apnea patients is to keep the airway open and prevent pauses in breathing during sleep. Various methods used to alleviate sleep apnea include: Behavioral Therapy, which should include avoiding alcohol and CNS depressants close to bedtime, weight reduction and...
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Obstructive Sleep Apnea
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Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition characterized by recurrent hypoxemia and arousal, due to partial or complete obstruction of the upper airways during sleep with consequent daytime somnolence. Symptoms are loud snoring, hypersomnolence (excessive daytime sleepiness), and restless sleep. Other symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea...
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Sleep Apnea
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Sleep apnea is a breathing disorder characterized by episodes of disturbed or interrupted breathing during sleep associated with recurrent arousals and awakenings. The cessation in breathing (interruption) during sleep lasts for 10-30 seconds in patients with mild-to-moderate sleep apnea. However, in severe cases this cessation...
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A Look at Snoring Treatments
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If your own efforts to stop snoring do not help, consult your physician or an otolaryngologist — or a doctor for the ear, nose, and throat. If you choose to try a dental appliance as a snoring treatment, you will need to see a dentist...
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Sleep Apnea Symptoms
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Sleep apnea is a breathing disorder characterized by episodes of disturbed or interrupted breathing during sleep resulting in recurrent arousals and awakenings. The symptoms of sleep apnea are loud snoring, hyper somnolence (excessive daytime sleepiness), and restless sleep. Snoring is a sign of upper-airway obstruction...
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Central Sleep Apnea
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Central sleep apnea is a rare condition characterized by a cessation or decrease in breathing during sleep due to problem with signals from the brain that control breathing. The symptoms of central sleep apnea are loud snoring, hypersomnolence (excessive daytime sleepiness), and restless sleep. The...
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Sleep Apnea Surgery
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Some sleep apnea patients may need surgery to remove excess tissue from the nose or throat (removal of adenoids and tonsils, nasal polyps or other growth) and to straighten a deviated septum. Although surgery is an excellent way of treating symptomatic sleep apnea, its success...
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A Review of Recommended Snoring Cures
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There are probably as many cures for snoring as there are people complaining about someone snoring. Over 300 anti-snoring devices and cures have been registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Offices. They include the familiar remedy -– a tennis ball in a sock sewed...
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Sleep Disorders
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Eight hours of sleep per night is recommended by physicians to ensure proper mental and physical health. Most people do not get the complete eight hours due to various reasons, such as stress, anxiety, work pressure and, more seriously, sleep disorders. In clinical terms, an...