Treatment options for sleep apnea
Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder that makes a person’s breath stop and start repeatedly. If a person snores loudly and feels tired even after a full night’s sleep, then there are chances that they may have sleep apnea. Types of sleep apnea Central sleep apnea: In this form of sleep apnea, the brain does not send proper signals that control breathing. Obstructive sleep apnea: It is a more common type and is caused when the throat muscles relax. Surgery The presence of extra tissues can block the airways or lead to collapse while sleeping. One of the most common ways to decrease or eliminate the extra tissue present in the throat is by surgery. The surgery is minimally invasive, but some patients may require more complex procedures. If one opts for surgery to treat sleep apnea, then the doctor may operate on the tongue, the lower and upper jaw, the adenoids and tonsils, or the uvula and soft palate. The benefits of this treatment are not permanent, and sleep apnea can reoccur. Positional therapy It is a behavioral strategy used to treat sleep apnea. Some people have sleep apnea only when they sleep on their back. This position is known as “supine” position.