TREATMENT
SLEEP APNEA
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TREATMENT
When you suspect that you might be suffering from Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome you should consult a doctor specialised in sleep medicine and carry out a sleep study.
Once you have a positive test for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome you should start the treatment and your doctor will indicate the most suitable therapeutic option according to the result of your sleep study.
Treatment options for obstructive sleep apnea (SAOS) include:
- Positive pressure therapy (CPAP, APAP, Bilevel)
- Mandibular Repositioning Device (Narval CC)
- Alternative therapies
Find out what treatment options we have for you
There are a number of treatment options for sleep apnea, and the products you use can make a big difference in how comfortable you will feel during therapy.
Get more information about them, here so you can decide which option is best for you.
Positive Pressure Sleep Apnea Treatment Options:
CPAP
CPAP stands for “Continuous positive air pressure”.
A CPAP is a device that, by means of a turbine, blows air with positive pressure into our upper airways. This air pressure is applied through a tube and a mask which adapts to the nose and/or mouth of the patient. This air flow keeps the airways open so the air can flow into the lungs allowing breathing.
BIPAP
This therapy follows the same principle as Auto CPAP, however, it provides inspiratory and expiratory pressure . It is indicated for patients with more complex apnea and other respiratory pathologies.
It is usually used when it is necessary to use a higher pressure to treat sleep apnea more effectively.
APAP
Auto CPAP is an intelligent machine that regulates itself according to the patient’s apnea needs.
The difference with CPAP machine, which only has a fixed pressure throughout the night, is that Auto CPAP oscillates during the night between a minimum and a maximum pressure value. These pressure fluctuations result in greater comfort for the patient and a lower residual apnea index (HAI).
MASKS
There are basically three types of masks: nasal, face and nasal pillows. The choice of one or another mask will always depend on the needs of each person and the treatment to be followed.
The choice of an incorrect mask can harm the treatment and cause you to give up, so it is very important to choose the right mask for you and let yourself be advised by specialists.
Discover the full range of treatment options
ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT OPTIONS
Surgery is also an option for treating sleep apnea, however, as with any surgery, it carries some risks. Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty is a surgical procedure that is most commonly performed for SAOS in the United States, it is a treatment option with a relatively low success rate.
Patient Outcomes and Comorbidities
Effective treatment can reverse the effects of daytime sleepiness, fatigue, moodiness and depression. Studies show that when patients are successful with treatment, the cost to the NHS in the long term and overall is less than 50% 3-5.
There are also several serious comorbidities, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and stroke, which have a strong connection with sleep apnea.
References:
02 – JC Meurice et al. Orcades. A prospective cohort study of severe obstructive sleep apnoea patients receiving second line-treatment with a mandibular repositioning device (CadCam; Narval)
03 – Albarrak et al. Sleep 2005
04 – Kryger et al. Sleep 2005
05 – Kapur et al. Sleep 1999
