Sleep Apnea Relief Without CPAP 

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Sleep apnea is a condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. This can lead to a lack of oxygen in the body.

If your partner notices loud snoring or gasping for air while you’re asleep, it’s essential to consult a healthcare provider.

Also, if you face any other symptoms of poor sleep, you should ask a specialist about sleep apnea. It can also result in excessive daytime sleepiness. Clinically, there are two kinds of sleep apnea: 

• Obstructive sleep apnea: It can also be called OSA. This situation happens when your upper airway gets blocked while you are sleeping. It can obstruct or even completely stop the flow of air. Hence, it’s a readily seen case of sleep apnea. Factors like obesity, tonsils and fluctuations in hormonal levels can cause narrowing. All these factors can equally contribute to the condition. 
• Central sleep apnea: This type of apnea occurs when the brain becomes incapable of sending enough signals for breathing. Central sleep apnea affects how your brain controls the breathing process and the muscles of the chest. 

Diagnosis of sleep apnea

Sleep apnea diagnosis involves generally assessing sleep which can be called polysomnography. In this test the function of the body is monitored during sleep to identify breathing disturbances. One can also take these tests at home for a simpler approach. Know that this could not be appropriate for all. 

In many cases, diagnosis can be a combination of evaluating symptoms, conducting a physical examination and undertaking sleep studies to determine the severity of sleep apnea. 

Methods for diagnosing sleep apnea:

Polysomnography:

It is one of the standard ways to diagnose sleep apnea. For this purpose, there are specific parameters to be measured, including: 

• Brain activity: Measuring the pattern of brain waves for evaluating different stages. 
• Eye Movements: Checks eye movement while sleeping. 
• Muscle activity: Evaluates muscle contractions in different portions. 
• Heart rate and rhythm: Check heart rate regularly. 
• Breathing patterns: Measuring saturation of oxygen, airflow and activity of the chest. 

Home tests:

These tests can be helpful and convenient alternatives. It involves measuring all the parameters mentioned above, but at home. 

Evaluating symptoms:

Healthcare providers will ask you about the symptoms that you are experiencing. It might include obesity, higher neck circumference, snoring, feeling sleepy during daytime and abnormalities in the upper airway. 

Other tests:

In certain cases, there are additional tests necessary to eliminate the chances of other conditions that are similar to sleep apnea. 

Why did I suddenly get sleep apnea?

Know that sleep apnea is not a condition that appears suddenly. It can progress gradually in your body due to certain factors. The fact is that you can notice its symptoms when it gets severe. Hence, you might believe that it has appeared suddenly. Common causes of these conditions include an increase in weight, age and anatomical structure of the airway. 

As per a study, obstructive sleep apnea is present in about 1 billion people across the globe, but central sleep apnea is less common. Hence, it is a rare condition. 

ref. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459252/

Is CPAP the only treatment for sleep apnea?

CPAP is an abbreviation for continuous positive airway pressure. It is one of the most common treatments for sleep apnea. However, CPAP is not the only treatment for sleep apnea. Other treatment options are: 

• Oral appliance therapy 
• Surgery 
• Changes in lifestyle 
• Medications 

The ideal sleep apnea treatment will depend on the severity of the condition. Hence, it’s best to get expert help. 

Can I cure my sleep apnea naturally?

Yes, if the severity of the sleep apnea is at a lower level, you can manage it naturally. Using home remedies and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can be a great way to help. But if a person has moderate sleep apnea, then it’s advisable to consult a doctor. They might have to wear a CPAP device for treatment purposes. It is easier to manage obstructive sleep apnea, but not Central sleep apnea. 

5 alternative treatments for sleep apnea

Along with some medications and CPAP devices, certain lifestyle changes can help. Here are six of those: 

Lifestyle changes:

According to doctors, maintaining a healthy weight could be a reasonable way to bid farewell to sleep apnea. Additionally, you can even try yoga and regular exercise. Many times, making small changes like altering position can lessen symptoms of sleep apnea. Sleeping on one’s back can worsen sleep apnea. Dry air can also be a reason, so try using a humidifier. Keep away from alcohol to sleep peacefully. 

Oral appliances:

Just like dentists can help with oral problems, some dental professionals can help you deal with sleep apnea. Mandibular advancement devices are mouthguards that can stick your tongue in a place to keep your airways open. 

Positional therapy:

For people with sleep apnea symptoms it is difficult to sleep on the back as it can worsen symptoms. Hence there are specially designed pillows or devices that can help them avoid turning on their back while sleeping. Further, its usage will reduce the need for CPAP therapy. 

Soft tissue surgery:

In many cases, the anatomy of your body might be responsible for sleep apnea, such as big tonsils, tongue, or jaw bones that are too small. Hence, visiting oral surgeons for these surgeries could help you cure sleep apnea. Specialists will suggest the best possible options and will help you tolerate CPAP. 

Nerve stimulation:

For patients who cannot tolerate using CPAP devices, nerve stimulation devices can be a great choice. It is approved by the FDA and is implanted into your body through surgery. The device will work by sensing your breathing and stimulating muscles to keep airways open. 

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