Sleep apnea is a disease that affects many. If you suffer from sleep apnea, you either have very shallow breath or pauses in your breathing while you’re sleeping. This disease is chronic and will cause you to have poor sleeping habits. Because of this, most people who suffer from sleep apnea need to remedy it by having a machine or some other form of treatment while they sleep.
One of the most common forms of treatment for sleep apnea is a sleep apnea machine, otherwise known as a CPAP machine. While these machines are the most common form of treatment for sleep apnea, and while they do help, they can be very loud and hard to get used to. Plus, sleep ap machines require you to use a mask, and this can be extremely uncomfortable. CPAP machines also come with side effects, such as dry nose, irritated skin, and even headaches. Because of this, many people with a sleep ap machine decide to stop using it, and this can be detrimental to their sleep apnea.
Thankfully, you have other options. Check out the following alternatives to a sleep ap machine.
Habitual and Lifestyle Changes
Sometimes changing your habits can help you treat sleep apnea without using a machine. For example, if you regularly use alcohol, you should start to limit your use. Alcohol makes you sleepy and can make it harder for your throat to stay open while you sleep. You should also try sleeping on your side instead of your back, as this can help you breathe better while you sleep. Finally, if you’re overweight, consider losing a few pounds. It sounds silly, but a reduction in your weight can help to combat the onset of sleep apnea.
Mouthpieces
Another option for sleep apnea is a sleep apnea mouthpiece. There are a variety of different options you can choose from, so be sure to talk with your doctor about which one is right for you. Most of the mouthpiece options are custom fitted to your mouth. They use comfortable material and attach nicely to your teeth so that they’re comfortable enough to sleep in while also providing the necessary support you need for your sleep apnea.
Surgery and Other Medical Treatments
Depending on the severity of your sleep apnea, surgery or other treatments may be the best option for you to take. With certain sleep apnea treatments, your doctor will widen your breathing passage through a series of shots. This procedure can be done with shots directly in your doctor’s office. Sometimes one shot will be enough, while other times you may need a variety of shots to make a difference.
If your sleep apnea is severe, surgery may be the best option. With surgery, your doctor will need to cut you open in order to widen your breathing passage. With surgery, your doctor will usually remove excess tissue around your breathing passage as well as your tonsils. After surgery, you will experience some discomfort, but this will usually solve your sleep apnea issues in the future.
No matter which option you decide to use, be sure to talk with your healthcare provider. He or she will be able to provide you with the best possible options for your specific case.
