Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder medical condition in which a person’s breathing is interrupted while asleep. Untreated patients with this condition stop breathing repeatedly through their sleep cycles which may cause the body or the brain to not receive oxygen. The sudden grasps for air during these moments causes a lack of REM (rapid eye movement). REM sleep deprivation causes serious effects on a person while awake during the day such as the process of storing memories, learning, and balancing your mood (What is REM sleep?). Sleep apnea can result in a growing number of health problems from heart failure, high blood pressure, depression, strokes or diabetes. Additionally, untreated sleep apnea could be responsible for poor performance
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Having a mild form of obstructive sleep apnea kept me from needing a CPAP machine, medically known as “continuous positive airway pressure” until my early twenties. Nasal CPAP is currently the preferred treatment for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea. CPAP is safe and effective, even in children. Daytime sleepiness improves or resolves. Heart function and hypertension also improve. And, importantly, the quality of life improves (MedicineNet). CPAP is an effective treatment for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is the more common of the two forms, the other being central sleep apnea. Caused by a blockage of the airway, usually when the soft tissue in the back of the throat collapses during sleep …show more content…
Known medically as Otolaryngologist or called ENT's for short. As explained earlier, the primary treatment of this disorder is Positive Airway Pressure Devices. There is more treatment available through different means such as oral appliances. These appliances are worn in the mouth, just like a sports mouth guard or an orthodontic appliance, while you sleep. Oral appliances hold the lower jaw forward just enough to keep the airway open and prevent the tongue and muscles in the upper airway from collapsing and blocking the airway (sleepapnea.org). Several other treatments are available such as Upper Airway Stimulation therapy, Targeted Hypoglossal Neurostimulation therapy, Weight Loss, Nasal Decongestants, Surgery, or Anesthesia and Pain Medicine. A new and innovative therapy known as “Inspire therapy” which is a new implantable treatment option for people with Obstructive Sleep Apnea who are unable to use or get consistent benefit from Continuous Positive Airway Pressure
Having a mild form of obstructive sleep apnea kept me from needing a CPAP machine, medically known as “continuous positive airway pressure” until my early twenties. Nasal CPAP is currently the preferred treatment for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea. CPAP is safe and effective, even in children. Daytime sleepiness improves or resolves. Heart function and hypertension also improve. And, importantly, the quality of life improves (MedicineNet). CPAP is an effective treatment for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is the more common of the two forms, the other being central sleep apnea. Caused by a blockage of the airway, usually when the soft tissue in the back of the throat collapses during sleep …show more content…
Known medically as Otolaryngologist or called ENT's for short. As explained earlier, the primary treatment of this disorder is Positive Airway Pressure Devices. There is more treatment available through different means such as oral appliances. These appliances are worn in the mouth, just like a sports mouth guard or an orthodontic appliance, while you sleep. Oral appliances hold the lower jaw forward just enough to keep the airway open and prevent the tongue and muscles in the upper airway from collapsing and blocking the airway (sleepapnea.org). Several other treatments are available such as Upper Airway Stimulation therapy, Targeted Hypoglossal Neurostimulation therapy, Weight Loss, Nasal Decongestants, Surgery, or Anesthesia and Pain Medicine. A new and innovative therapy known as “Inspire therapy” which is a new implantable treatment option for people with Obstructive Sleep Apnea who are unable to use or get consistent benefit from Continuous Positive Airway Pressure