The Treatments And Cures For Sleep Apnea
Fortunately, you can manage your apnea condition. This is definitely possible through the use of various treatments and cures for sleep apnea. Sleep apnea treatments chiefly use continuous positive air pressure (CPAP) therapy and failing that surgery as the way to manage obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
When the measured value of apnea hypopnea index (AHI) is more than twenty, surgery is indicated as the obstructive sleep apnea treatment option. Four types of surgeries are used in the treatment of OSA. They include laser assisted uvulapalatoplasty (LAUP), uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPP), tracheostomy, and radiofrequency ablation (RFA).
Their details are described below.
Laser assisted uvulapalatoplasty (LAUP): It is used to treat mild cases of sleep apnea. It uses a laser to remove the uvula. Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPP): This is the most common surgical treatment for sleep apnea. During this surgery, the surgeon removes the uvula. He/she may also remove the tonsils, the soft part of the palate, and the adenoids. The purpose of the surgery is to widen the airways and to also reduce the frequency of collapse of the airway during sleep. Tracheostomy: This surgical procedure is one of the most drastic, but also the most effective surgical procedure used in the treatment of sleep apnea. During a tracheostomy, a hole is made through the throat and the windpipe. Air is allowed to pass into the lungs through this hole. Since the tracheostomy hole is below the site of obstruction in the upper airway, it effectively bypasses the issue altogether. However, people generally do not agree to this surgical method as it causes a permanent hole in their throats. This alternative is only chosen when all other forms of sleep apnea treatment have failed. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA): It is used to ablate (remove) tissues to shrink the size of the tongue and/or palate. The surgical procedure is used in patients with an AHI of 20 to 30. It is a relatively new surgical procedure. Multiple treatments may be required to be administered through the surgery. It is generally used in combination with other procedures. Alternative remedies for sleep apnea include natural ways to provide relief from sleep apnea. Such remedies and cures include behavioral interventions, lifestyle changes, and some herbal remedies. Some more cures include the use of a thick sleep apnea pillow, a tennis ball in the coat pocket, exercise and dieting to control obesity, and the use of a better sleeping position. Certain precautions can also be used to reduce the sleep disturbance observed due to sleep apnea. They include the avoidance of alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine. The basic advantage of these remedies lies in there being no discomfort or side effects. They use a holistic approach to treatment. They are cheaper too. Certain herbal remedies that help a central sleep apnea patient sleep include Passion Flower, Hops, Valerian, and Lachesis. Besides these remedies, the other cures for sleep apnea include breathing and relaxation techniques. However, cures play only a supporting role to medical treatment.
Sleep Apnea
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