In Search Of Cpap Alternatives - Improved Remedies For Sleep Apnea?

Sleep Apnea is a sleep disorder found in a large part of the US population

, and is said to affect around 18 million people. CPAP (constant positive airway pressure) is a treatment that is regularly used to manage the disorder. The CPAP system makes use of a small air compressor to provide a constant, pressurised airflow to the sufferers airway. This helps lessen the sleep apnea symptoms.

This positive pressure airflow works quite well to keep the airway clear during sleep, and reduces the chance of obstruction if the soft tissues of the mouth and throat collapse. One of the downfalls of CPAP therapy is that it can be quite uncomfortable for the sufferer, the pressurised mask can make exhaling a little labored and the airflow can cause throat dryness. But there are a range of cpap alternatives, and this article will look at some of them.

A really simple treatment, and one that should be considered first, is the simple strategy called positional therapy. By adjusting the sleeping position of the sufferer, positional therapy can offer great relief. A patient can wear a special padded shirt, or use a sleep apnea wedge of pillow to modify their sleep position and reduce their symptoms.

Gravity is the enemy during apnea episodes, when the soft tissues of the throat block the airway. By inclining the body a little, the tissues are less likely to obstruct the airway and the patient will sleep more soundly. This type of positional therapy is generally used effectively for obstructive sleep apnea. The Central sleep apnea form of the condition needs to be treated differently, as it occurs for different reasons. Positional therapy, although not effective on it's own for central sleep apnea, can be useful if used in conjunction with other treatments.

Another useful alternative to cpap therapy is bipap treatment. Not dissimilar to CPAP, BiPAP (BiLevel Positive Airway Pressure) also offers a positive airway pressure to the apnea patient. BiPAP does however offer a difference. When the patient exhales, the positive airflow is decreased, allowing the person to breathe more easily. So BiPAP can treat both central and obstructive apnea forms but is considered by many patients a far more comfortable system than the CPAP one. Exhalation is easier and less uncomfortable. Both these therapies are ineffective for treating complex sleep apnea, a more complicated version of the disorder.

There is yet another treatment that is similar to BiPAP. This is called ASV (Adaptive Servo-Ventilation) therapy. Currently in it's experimental stages ASV (Adaptive Servo-Ventilation) sleep apnea treatment is providing good results for complex sleep apnea sufferers. There is FDA approval for this therapy, but the scientific results were not widely published which kept the treatment on an experimental footing.

CPAP therapy is a good treatment for sleep apnea, but these alternatives can offer improved treatment with less side effects for many sufferers. A consultation with your health care professional can help you find the best results from your therapy.

by: Orlando Rodriguez

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