Alternative Treatments

CPAP Alternatives in Taree & Surrounds

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Alternative Treatments For Snoring & Sleep Apnoea

A number of people with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) do not tolerate Continuous Positive Airways Pressure (CPAP) Therapy and look to other ways of treating their symptoms. There are several options available to treat snoring and/or mild to moderate OSA, such as lifestyle changes, an oral appliance, an EPAP device, a Sleep Repositioner device or, as a last resort, surgery to the airway. The following information should give you some understanding of these alternatives.

Lifestyle Changes

Lifestyle changes can reduce the severity of OSA, and these changes may be all that is needed to successfully treat the disorder.

Reducing or avoiding alcohol & drugs

Some narcotic substances can suppress the central nervous system in our brain which triggers the impulse to breathe. This causes a type of sleep apnoea called central apnoea. This also applies to sleeping tablets and tranquillisers. If you take these prescription medications, discuss with your GP to see if any of them may be contributing to your OSA. Alcohol is also a muscle relaxant causing the muscles in the back of the throat to relax and block the airway, thereby increasing symptoms of OSA.

Other Lifestyle Changes

Obesity

Being overweight is one of the biggest risk factors for OSA. Excess fat around the jaw and neck is also on the inside of the throat and on the tongue, causing narrowing to the airway and restricting the flow of air. In some cases, significant reduction in weight can cure OSA.

Smoking

Smoking can make sleep apnoea worse by causing harmful effects to your lungs, and therefore making it more difficult to breathe. It also causes damage to your blood vessels.

Sleeping Position

Lying in a supine position (on your back) causes the tongue and soft palate to push against the back of your throat, blocking your airway. Avoiding supine sleep can reduce OSA significantly. There are devices available that you can strap around your body to prevent you rolling onto your back. (See info on NIGHT SHIFT device).

Mandibular Advancement Splints (MAS)

Patients with snoring and/or mild to moderate sleep apnoea can consider this treatment. A Mandibular Advancement Splint (MAS) is an oral dental device which works by increasing the opening of your airway by pushing forward your lower jaw and opening up the back of your airway. A dentist specialising in this treatment will fit you with a custom-made device.

The usual oral appliance consists of a “mouth guard” fitted to both your top and bottom teeth and then joined together so the bottom teeth end up in front of the top teeth. By moving the bottom jaw forward this opens up the airway and supports it, so the likelihood of collapse is far less, thereby reducing the severity of the apnoea events and controlling snoring. For the majority of people, moving the jaw forward by about 8 to 10mm is enough to be effective. Adjustments may need to be made if this is not effective or is uncomfortable.

For more information, discuss this treatment with your sleep physician or contact us at the Mid North Coast Sleep Clinic. We can advise you on dentists who specialise in oral appliances.

EPAP Devices

AIRAVANT - BONGO Rx OPTIPILLOWS EPAP MASK

EPAP devices have variable levels of expiratory resistance and are intended to treat both snoring and mild to moderate Obstructive Sleep Apnoea. The device works by restricting the expiratory breath out. This creates residual pressure, which keeps your airway open. Breathe in through your nose, out through your mouth (not through the device) when awake. You’ll naturally breathe out through the device when you fall asleep.

For more information about these devices, talk to one of our friendly sleep technologists.

Sleep Repositioner

Some people are diagnosed with a positional influence to their OSA, which means they only snore or have apnoea events when sleeping in the supine position. Most people will turn onto their back at times during sleep, however it is possible to train yourself to remain on your side all night. There have been a number of techniques used in the past, such as a tennis ball tied around the waist, or sleeping with a wedge or pillow behind the back, with varying degrees of success. Now, with advancements in technology, there are other more comfortable ways of training yourself to sleep on your side. One device is called NIGHT SHIFT.

The NIGHT SHIFT POSTIONAL THERAPY device is worn around the neck or chest. It uses vibrations to discourage supine sleep and will treat mild to moderate OSA and positional snoring. The vibrations are initiated after you are asleep and the frequency and intensity of the vibration adapts to the requirements of the user. The soft, silicone neck strap ensures a comfortable, safe and secure fit.

For more information on NIGHT SHIFT, speak to our sleep technologists

Surgical Treatment For Sleep Apnoea

In the past surgical treatments were an alternative to treating Obstructive Sleep Apnoea. Today, with the advancement in other non-invasive treatments, this is no longer a common form of effective treatment and should be used as a last resort for treating Obstructive Sleep Apnoea.

Surgical treatment is performed to alter the upper airway usually involving one or more structures, such as the nasal septum, inferior nasal turbinates, adenoids, tonsils, uvula, soft palate and base of the tongue. As with any surgery, there can be risks of infection and complications.

For more information on surgical treatments talk to your sleep physician or contact us at the Mid North Coast Sleep Clinic, and we can advise you on Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) surgeons who specialise in these procedures.