Those who are suffer from sleep apnea struggle with life impacting side effects including, but not limited to: morning headaches, dizziness, fatigue throughout the day and symptoms as serious has heart disease. Sleep apnea can be a debilitating condition that you may not realize you suffer from. If you do discover that this disorder is causing a negative impact in your life, the following 5 treatments will dramatically affect your quality of sleep and can eliminate sleep apnea.

1. The most popular and effective treatment for sleep apnea is the CPAP machine. This machine pumps air pressure through your airway, by use of a mask, throughout the night which keeps your airway open and clear. The result of this treatment is uninterrupted and reparative sleep and is almost 100% effective and eliminating the need for invasive surgery. Some recipients of this treatment have a real struggle with normalizing their sleep with this mask. Others feel it inconvenient to travel with such a device. Which ever may be an obstacle for a patient, there are other treatments available.
2. Macillomandibular Advancement is another treatment for sleep apnea. This treatment is surgery on your lower jaw. Your doctor will pull the jaw forward and attach the ligaments. This option is painful and can cause misalignment with the top section of the jaw. Maxillomandibular Advancement is 95% successful in the treatment of sleep apnea.
3. The Thornton Adjustable Positioner (TAP or TAP T (Titanium)) is an option that you must explore with your dentist. This device, which is custom fitted by your dentist, will pull the lower jaw forward so it doesn’t fall open and cause your airway to collapse. This treatment is relatively new and is still being researched. This could be a viable alternative to Macillomandibular Advancement.
4. Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) and Laser Assisted Uvuloplasty (LAUP) are treatments that surgically remove the uvula (the fleshy piece of tissue that hangs from the back of your throat) and any excess tissue that may be blocking the airway. This treatment has only a 50% effectiveness rating. This treatment can cause severe scarring in the throat which may require continued use of the CPAP machine.
5. Somnoplasty (Radio frequency or RF procedure) uses radio wave to shrink tissue in the air passages. A needle will pierce into the tongue, soft palate or throat and will heat the inner tissue from 158 to 176 degrees. This heat will cause the inner tissue to shrink and will aid in opening up the air waves for air passage. This option takes just a half of an hour and has positive ratings from patients who have received this treatment.

There are several other treatments for sleep apnea. You must research which option is best for your situation and apply it. The improvement of sleep duration and quality will be evident in all facets of your life. Sleep apnea requires an in depth study of its treatments and which path will better suit you and your lifestyle.

If you have sleep apnea or other snoring issues, you may have heard of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy. For those who are unfamiliar with this medical technology, the following information will provide a basic description of this effective therapy.

What is CPAP therapy? The most common form of sleep apnea is Obstructive Sleep Apnea. This disease is identified as an obstruction of the airway in one or many different locations. CPAP is a machine that pushes air, using a specially designed nasal mask or pillows, through your airway to keep it open. The clearing of the airway allows you to get continuous, uninterrupted sleep. CPAP is a nasal mask that you have to wear each night. Some patients have complained about its uncomfortable fit and others claim that the uninterrupted sleep is well worth the adjustment. Whatever your conclusion, it is important to note that the CPAP treatment is nearly 100 percent effective. Most doctors will encourage this treatment rather than opting for surgery.

Is CPAP right for me? You may wonder if this type of therapy is appropriate for your situation. You will need to see an otolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat doctor) to see if this is an acceptable form of treatment for your life. The following are some criteria that the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head of Neck Surgery suggest doctors to ask their patients:
• Do you snore loudly and disturb your family and friends?
• Do you have daytime sleepiness?
• Do you wake up frequently in the middle of the night?
• Do you have frequent episodes of obstructed breathing during sleep?
• Do you have morning headaches or tiredness?
These questions and others will help your doctor decide if this therapy is right for you.

How do I start CPAP therapy? CPAP therapy will have to be described by your otolaryngologist. Because the CPAP machine requires an FDA approval, it is required that you get a prescription from your doctor before you can receive a CPAP. Once you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea (or a similar snoring/airway blockage issue) your doctor may suggest this therapy. You may need to make some lifestyle changes before this therapy can be effective. You doctor may tell you to lose weight, stop drinking, stop smoking and/or exercise more consistently. The good news is, if CPAP is working for you, you may never need surgery on your nasal passages.

There are several machines offered for CPAP therapy. Depending on what your insurance can pay for, or what you can pay for, the machines can be quite sophisticated. Some machines will record your sleep happenings; whether you are having apneas while on the CPAP or how often you use it. Others have attached heated humidifier, converters for foreign currents and even DC through the car battery. You need to research different companies and their products for more specific information. Ask your doctor for a specific prescription that may include the upgraded features of a CPAP. Deciding on a CPAP can seem overwhelming at first. Do your research and ask lots of questions your stress will be alleviated through your educated decision.

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that affects millions of Americans. Sleep apnea is cause when you stop breathing, several times, while you are sleeping. This dangerous occurrence falls into two main categories:
1. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
2. Central Sleep Apnea (CSA)
The following are the differences of these two forms of sleep apnea.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea is the most common form of sleep apnea. This condition is identified as an obstruction of the air way in one or many different locations. The two main symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea are drowsiness during day time hours and frequent occurrences of obstructed breathing during the night. At Stanford University’s website, www.stanford.edu , there is a laundry list of associated health ailments linked to sleep apnea. Some of these ailments are listed as loud snoring, morning headaches, high blood pressure, overweight, irritability and many other risks associated with obstructive sleep apnea. Of course, a sleeping partner would be able to pick up on these red flags and alert you as to you possible condition. Your doctor can run an overnight test called the polysomnography to determine if you suffer from OSA.

The other, and rarer, form of sleep apnea is called Central Sleep Apnea. This condition is described by sleepdisorders.about.com as the brain ceasing to tell the body to breathe for moments at a time while you are sleeping. Central sleep apnea is less common but can still have devastating effects. Some symptoms of central sleep apnea are frequent awakenings, being very tired during the day, and short pauses of breathing once or several times a night. This type of sleep apnea can also be tested for by a polysomnography.

If left unattended, these sleep apneas can lead to heart attacks, strokes, impotence, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure and heart disease. These diseases are not death sentences. Whether you have OSA or CSA both conditions can be devastating to your health. Following your doctor’s orders and suggestions can lead you to good nights of hard, comfortable sleep. There are several treatments to sleep apnea depending on the severity. Some mild forms of sleep apnea can be treated through some simple lifestyle and behavioral changes. Some ideas are loosing weight and sleeping on your side. There are also different types of respiratory equipment that can aid in opening up the airways to allow free breathing.

The bottom line is, if you are experiencing some or all of the above mentioned symptoms it is time to take a visit to the doctor. Have him do the polysomnography in order to determine the severity of your disorder and ways to treat it. It’s no fun to be tired all the time. Getting help with this sleep disorder saves you from possible life altering tragedies such as stroke or heart attack. Treatment can lead to consecutive, healthy sleep and proper functionality of body and mind.