Data indicate that the Inspire device reduces sleep apnea by an average of 79% and significantly reduces snoring and daytime sleepiness. In addition to daytime tiredness and irritability, people with sleep apnea are at higher risk for stroke, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome and liver problems.
) It can also help to talk to your partner about sleep apnea, as they can be a helpful source of encouragement and support.
In cases when non-invasive treatments fail, a surgical solution might be necessary. Your otolaryngologist will be able to advise you on the treatment options.
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.
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Getting an official diagnosis is the first step to getting help for sleep apnea. CPAP therapy is an effective treatment option, but it may not be right for everyone.
or experience dry mouth, red or itchy eyes, and a dry, stuffy, or runny nose. CPAP users and their sleeping partners may also be affected by noise caused by mask leaks. All of these side effects impact adherence, or how often here a person uses their CPAP machine.
CPAP therapy is considered the standard treatment for OSA, but the most effective treatment is one a person diagnosed with sleep apnea is willing to use. “Any alternative is better than not following through with CPAP, which is, unfortunately, a very common scenario for many [people] that have been diagnosed with OSA,” says Paul Schalch Lepe, M.
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The CPAP device needs to be used every night. Some patients complain of mask discomfort, nasal congestion, and nose and throat dryness when using CPAP. Others find the device to be too constrictive and cumbersome, particularly when traveling.
The ResMed AirMini is an FAA approved machine with a small design that’s perfect if you travel frequently. It also boasts other helpful features like an auto-ramp mode and a humidification system.
Some people see a significant improvement in their OSA symptoms when they stop sleeping on their backs. Though getting used to a new sleep position can be a challenge, several wearable devices are available that alert the user when they move onto their back.
Some CPAP units also come with a timed pressure “ramp” setting that starts the airflow at a low level and slowly raises the pressure to the set level that may make it more comfortable and easier to which to become accustomed.