Sleep Apnea Treatment - Are There Cpap Alternatives?

Said to affect some 18 million Americans, sleep apnea is a common

, and sometimes dangerous sleep disorder. CPAP (constant positive airway pressure) treatment is one system that has long been used to relieve the symptoms of this condition. By administering a constant, slightly pressurised airflow to the sleep apnea sufferers airway, the symptoms of sleep apnea can be alleviated to some extend. The CPAP machine uses a small air compressor to achieve this aim.

The cpap therapy works by providing a pressurised airflow to the airway, reducing the chances of a apnea episode occurring by the soft tissues of the throat and soft palate collapsing and causing an obstruction. The pressurised mask can sometimes make exhalation a little uncomfortable, and some patients report headaches and throat soreness when using the treatment. There are however, many cpap alternatives, and we will take a look at some alternative solutions that may be of use to the sleep apnea patient.

Positional therapy is one of the most simple and non-invasive alternatives to cpap therapy. Positional therapy is simple, it merely involves the adjustment of the sleep position of the sleep apnea sufferer. The use of special foam wedges and pillows can aid in repositioning the sufferer to ensure that they sleep in a position that minimises sleep apnea episodes. Special shirts are also available.

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.

BiPAP is another alternative to CPAP therapy. Providing a similar treatment to CPAP, BiPAP (BiLevel Positive Airway Pressure) also ensures a positive airflow to the sufferers airway to aid them to breathe during sleep. The cool thing about BiPAP however, is that is reduces the air pressure as the patient exhales, making the breathing process much more comfortable. CPAP therapy is a good system, but BiPAP is equal in it's effectiveness, without the discomfort during exhalation, an issue for many patients. BiPAP also treats both central and obstructive sleep apnea effectively. Complex sleep apnea is another form of the condition, but is not generally treated with either cpap or bipap.

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.

There are other alternatives to CPAP, such as surgery, but the treatments listed above offer great relief to many sufferers, with reduced side effects. Speak with you physician to try to find the best solution for you.

by: Rona Jacob

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