subject: Look at CPAP Alternatives - Treatments For Sleep Apnea [print this page] Look at CPAP Alternatives - Treatments For Sleep Apnea
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.
One of the most simple alternatives to cpap is the use of positional therapy as a non-invasive treatment. This is simply the act of changing the sleeping position of the sufferer to provide relief. There are a number of products that can help, from foam wedges, to special pillows and shirts that adjust the position that the sufferer can sleep in.
By inclining the body a little, the effects of gravity on the soft throat tissues is changed, and the tissues are less likely to block the airway. Positional therapy is most often used to treat obstructive sleep apnea. Central sleep apnea need a different approach as it is the inability of the brain to regulate the breathing that is central to this form of the condition. But if combined with additional treatments, positional therapy can also help the central form of the condition.
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.
ASV (Adaptive Servo-Ventilation) is a treatment that is similar to BiPAP. Used mainly in the treatment of complex sleep apnea ASV (Adaptive Servo-Ventilation) is still an experimental treatment but results are excellent. Although approved by the FDA, ASV is still considered experimental as there are not that many published results, but these are increasing all the time.
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.
