On the other hand, if your sleep quality wasn’t poor before beginning CPAP treatment, you may not notice a big difference once you start sleep therapy. Keep in mind that some people with sleep apnea may wake up 15 to 20 times per hour while others may only wake up a few times per hour. If you have a very mild form of sleep apnea and have been largely asymptomatic, you may not notice any improvement throughout treatment.
There’s no denying that sleep apnea treatment can cause a person to experience certain side effects, and chances are, it’s not going to be comfortable in the beginning—your body may simply need time to adjust to CPAP treatment.
Although CPAP remains the treatment of choice for many people with obstructive sleep apnea, several alternatives are available to help reduce breathing issues and resolve daytime symptoms.
Never adjust your CPAP settings or cease sleep therapy without consulting your sleep care physician first.
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The device monitors a user’s breathing and stimulates the hypoglossal nerve, which controls tongue movement, to move the tongue away from the airway when breathing stops.
The device powers on as soon as breathing is detected and turns off when you remove your face mask. Ramp mode allows you to ease into your therapy with a lower pressure level that increases only after you’ve fallen asleep.
A built-in HumidAir heated humidifier warms and moistens the air prior to delivery, which can prevent rainout and reduce the potential for congestion.
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EPAP: Expiratory positive airway pressure (EPAP) therapy is a newer alternative to CPAP. Instead of using a machine that delivers pressurized air, a nasal EPAP device uses valves to create air pressure when the user exhales, keeping the upper airway from collapsing.
Unfortunately, these complaints sometimes lead to inconsistent use or abandonment of the device altogether. Proper mask fitting and use of a humidifier can resolve these issues.
Similar to CPAP, alternative treatments focus on maintaining an open airway and promoting regular breathing during sleep. Some include lifestyle changes, while others are more invasive.
Nasopharyngeal (NP) CPAP: Administered via a nasopharyngeal tube- an airway placed through the nose whose tip terminates in the nasopharynx. This has the advantage of bypassing the nasal cavity, and CPAP is delivered more distally.
Obesity is a risk factor for OSA, but the here relationship between weight and sleep apnea is complex. It is important to consult with a medical professional when considering weight loss to treat symptoms of sleep apnea.