The first few nights on CPAP may be difficult, while patients acclimate. Many patients at first find the mask uncomfortable, claustrophobic or embarrassing.
If a person is eligible for an oral appliance, it’s important to consult a qualified sleep dentist for a professional fitting and to help source an appliance customized for one’s individual needs, adds Dr. Postol.
There are two types of sleep apnea: OSA and central sleep apnea (CSA). The most common form, OSA, occurs when the upper airway is blocked recurrently during sleep. This form of sleep apnea is treated with CPAP, as well as additional methods of reducing the frequency of the blockages.
Luckily, there are alternative options to CPAP therapy for people experiencing difficulty using a CPAP device. Read on to learn more, including expert insight into what these alternatives are and whether they’re effective.
CPAP machines are only one way of using pressurized air to keep the windpipe open and reduce blockages. Other PAP devices may be appropriate depending on a person’s individual needs and the type of breathing disruptions they experience.
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Reducing alcohol and tobacco use may be helpful for lessening the symptoms of OSA. Drinking alcohol before bed can worsen OSA, promote snoring, and depress the central nervous system.
An Inspire therapy-trained doctor will also evaluate your overall health status and perform a physical examination of your airway to determine if Inspire therapy might be a suitable CPAP alternative for you.
The University of Kansas Health System continues to be one of the top 5 hospitals in the nation that offers Inspire sleep apnea treatment. Our team collaborates with registered polysomnographic technologists who perform sophisticated sleep studies to help doctors provide the best care.
Choosing the right CPAP machine is an important and complex decision whether you’re buying for the first time or shopping for a replacement. You want to find a machine that works best for your needs, and things like cost, size, noise, portability, and features vary widely between manufacturers. We break down all you need to know about finding a CPAP machine and getting it set up.
I knew going in I was going to use my machine every day. I don’t feel better right now but I’ve only been using it less than two weeks. I look forward to the time when I will feel rested from using it.
The mask and tube must more info be kept clean, regularly inspected and should be replaced every 3 to seis months. Abdominal distension or a sensation of bloating might occur which rarely can lead to nausea, vomiting and subsequently aspiration this can be minimized by decreasing the pressure or gastric decompression through a tube in hospitalized patients.
Research indicates that the more you actively participate in your treatment, the better your outcomes will be. CPAP therapy is unique in that it requires you, the CPAP wearer, to actively participate in your own treatment which can indirectly control your health outcome and help prevent you from being still tired after CPAP.
Experts estimate that obesity contributes to as many as 60% of cases of moderate to severe OSA. As a result, doctors recommend weight loss for people with OSA who have obesity or are overweight.