A new medication for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has shown promising results in its first human trial, conducted by researchers from Flinders University. The drug aims to prevent the upper airways from narrowing or collapsing during sleep, a major cause of OSA.
EPAP therapy is newer and it is less commonly prescribed than the other PAP therapies. However, a review of EPAP studies found that people using EPAP experience a 53% reduction. View Source in OSA symptoms. Some researchers recommend using EPAP for people with mild to moderate OSA.
Modafinil (Provigil)
It is indicated as adjunctive treatment to standard therapy for OSA/hypopnea syndrome to improve wakefulness in patients with excessive sleepiness.
CPAP is the “gold standard” of sleep apnea treatment. The machines are typically covered by insurance. The CPAP is appropriate for moderate to severe sleep apnea, which oral devices may not be able to correct. Also available in smaller sizes for travel.
Acetazolamide (AZT).
Some early studies show that this drug, which is already used for other conditions like glaucoma and epilepsy, may help sleep apnea. AZT causes you to breathe more deeply, so you take in larger amounts of oxygen.
A breathing device, such as a CPAP machine, is the most common treatment for sleep apnea. A CPAP machine provides constant air pressure in your throat to keep the airway open when you breathe in. Breathing devices work best when you also make healthy lifestyle changes.
The prevalence of sleep apnoea increases with age, although the severity of the disorder, as well as the morbidity and mortality associated with it, may actually decrease in the elderly. A decline in cognitive functioning in older adults with sleep apnoea may resemble dementia.
Aging affects the brain's ability to keep upper airway throat muscles stiff during sleep, increasing the chance that the airway will narrow or collapse. Obstructive sleep apnea is up to four times as common in men as in women, but women are more likely to have sleep apnea during pregnancy and after menopause.
Oral appliance therapy is an alternative to CPAP treatment for many people with obstructive sleep apnea. An oral appliance is a specially fitted device that you wear while sleeping. It helps position your mouth in a way that keeps your airway open.
According to a collective study by the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, the medications that exacerbate sleep apnea symptoms (and should be avoided if you have the condition) include: Benzodiazepines, including Xanax, Valium, Klonopin, and Ativan. Opiates, including OxyContin, Vicodin, and morphine.
Are Sleeping Pills Safe? Many people use sleeping pills with no major problems. However, virtually all sleep aids currently on the market do come with potential side effects, such as next-day grogginess, nausea, and headaches. Taking the lowest dose possible may help limit these side effects.
Inspire implant: Most insurance plans cover this, and it's also available at some Veterans Affairs and military hospitals. CareCredit reports the price of a hypoglossal-nerve stimulator like Inspire as $30,000 to $40,000 if you self-pay.
Does sleep apnea go away? The answer is no, although it is a common question among people with a sleep apnea diagnosis. While there is no cure for this chronic condition, there are treatments and lifestyle changes that can reduce your sleep apnea symptoms.
Surgery. The last resort for sleep apnea is surgery. The most common is uvulopalatopharyngoplasty. Surgeons remove soft tissue from the back of your palate and may take out your tonsils and uvula (the soft tissue that hangs down the back of your throat).
Q: Can weight loss cure sleep apnea? A: The short answer is no. While there are several sleep apnea treatment options available, there is no cure. However, weight loss may help reduce sleep apnea symptoms for some people, but only if you have obstructive sleep apnea.
It can lead to a variety of health issues and drastically reduce life expectancy if not managed properly. Studies show that patients who develop sleep apnea before the age of fifty have a life expectancy between 8 and 18 years.
More than usual daytime sleepiness. Waking up with a dry throat or headache. Waking up often during the night. Difficulty concentrating or mood changes during the day.
While there is no cure for sleep apnea, studies show that certain lifestyle factors can reverse or make your sleep apnea less intense. Other treatment or surgical options can also reverse the condition. Sleep apnea happens when your upper airway muscles relax while you sleep.
Sleep apnea without treatment does not directly shorten life expectancy. However, it does increase the likelihood that patients will develop life-threatening health conditions that result in shortened life expectancy.
Surgical treatments can eliminate or improve sleep apnea so that continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or other appliances are no longer needed.
Best Sleeping Position for Sleep Apnea
Many people with sleep apnea have more breathing problems when they sleep flat on their backs than when they sleep in other positions. Sleeping sitting up can lead to fewer breathing disruptions and higher levels of oxygen in the blood of people with OSA.