Sleep Apnea Therapy

Sleep apnea therapy can be done in various ways, generally divided into two major namely non-surgical and surgical therapies. This therapy aims to free up the airways in patients, since generally the main cause of sleep apnea is a narrowing / blockage of the airways. The following will be explained briefly about sleep apnea therapy commonly used in the medical world.

Non-Surgical Therapy

·         Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)

Is a tool commonly used by people with sleep apnea, which serves to provide air pressure through a mask placed over the nose during sleep. The compressed air aimed at preventing the collapse of the airway in the throat. This prevents apnea and snoring. Most people feel awkward and uncomfortable when first use this mask, sometimes it takes a while to be familiar with.

·         Mouthpiece (oral device) or Inter-oral devices (IODs)

Another option is to use an oral device that is designed to keep the throat open. Oral appliances are a successful alternative for a handful of patients. Some devices are designed to open the throat by bringing the jaw forward. Sometimes this can eliminate snoring and mild OSA.

·         Stimulants

If the symptom of daytime sleepiness is very severe, short-term dosage of drugs known as stimulants may be advisable. Stimulants work by increasing the activity of the nervous system so that patients feel more alert and awake. A drug called modafinil may be advisable, while the side effects can include dizziness and blurred vision. But the long-term use of stimulants is not recommended since people can become addicted to it.

·         Positional therapy

Most people benefit from sleeping position at 30 degrees elevation of the upper body. This helps prevent the gravitational collapse of the airway. A 30 degree elevation of the upper body can be achieved with the bedroom set, or wedge placed under the bed mattress. This approach can easily be used in combination with other treatments and are very effective for people who are obese. Lateral sleeping positions (sleeping on the side) is also recommended.

Surgical Therapy

The goal of surgery is to remove the excess tissue from the nose or throat that can vibrate and causing snoring. The excess tissue may block the upper portion of respiratory tract and lead to sleep apnea. Several surgical approaches commonly used include:

·         Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP)

UPPP is a procedure of removing tissue from the back of the mouth and upper throat, as well as the tonsils and adenoids. UPPP usually performed in a hospital and requires general anesthesia. The success rate of this method is only at 30 to 50 percent.

·         Jaw Correction

This procedure is usually called as Maxillomandibular Advancement (MMA). The purpose of this action is to enlarge the space behind the tongue and soft palate. Such surgical treatment is considered as one of the most effective way to treat sleep apnea due to a very high success rate. Generally, MMA is often performed along with Genioglossus Advancement (tongue advancement).

·         Implants

Implant procedure is a minimally invasive treatment. It involves the placement of three small polyester rods in the ceiling soft to prevent the collapse of soft palate. This treatment is only recommended for mild to moderate degrees of sleep apnea.

·         Laser Assisted Uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP)

LUPP is an activity removing tissue at the back of the throat with a laser with radiofrequency. LAUP is indeed one of the cheaper types of surgery, but it goes straight to the condition where it can only reduce snoring and does not eliminate the sleep apnea itself.

Sleep apnea therapy is proven to alleviate sleep apnea at a certain level, but since it is difficult to cure sleep disorders, it is better for people with severe disorders to reduce their bad habits such as consuming alcoholic beverages.