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Treating Sleep Apnea

The best course of treatment for sleep apnea as far as doctors are concerned is called continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). C P A P blows air into the sleeper's airway through a mask fitted over the nose and mouth, forcing the air way to stay open and eliminating both snoring and apnea episodes.

The problem lies in that patients don't like CPAP therapy as much as the physicians do. Complaints that the mask is uncomfortable, heavy and the noise of the machine by their bed humming all night long keeping them awake is not uncommon. Even though CPAP is very effective, only 50 percent of sleep apnea patients stick with the therapy.

For patients who don't want CPAP even though it's cost-effective, painless, non invasive and successful, there are surgical methods of treatment and oral appliances. Surgery isn't the best choice for sleep apnea patients; some surgical procedures may actually worsen the symptoms and the benefits that may arise out of surgery are not always permanent.

Treating sleep apnea through the use of oral appliances is gaining in popularity. Recent studies have shown that mandibular advancement devices can help open airways and restore normal breathing for people with mild or moderate obstructive sleep apnea. Those devices may reduce sleep apnea by 50 percent but breathing problems can still be significant enough to cause other health problems.

Work with your doctor to find an effective treatment you like and can use consistently. The most important thing is to just get diagnosed. Sleep apnea left undiagnosed can be very deadly.

Articles and sleep aids resources people can use to help understand insomnia, sleep apnea and other sleep disorders

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