Although additional research is needed to understand the risks and benefits of nasal EPAP, this treatment may be appropriate for people who have mild to moderate OSA and have trouble with a CPAP machine.
If a person is eligible for an oral appliance, it’s important to consult a qualified sleep dentist for a professional fitting and to help source an appliance customized for one’s individual needs, adds Dr. Postol.
I am very sorry to hear that you are struggling with your sleep. Unfortunately, this sounds like something you may need to speak with your doctor about since it does not seem like you are struggling with your CPAP therapy.
One study shows between one-third to over 50 percent of CPAP wearers either quit sleep therapy or never even fill their prescription (partially because they’re still tired after CPAP), but there are several things you can do to make your CPAP experience more comfortable, including:
A CPAP machine also includes straps to position the mask, a hose or tube that connects the mask to the machine’s motor, a motor that blows air into the tube, and an air filter to purify the air entering the nose.
The brain senses a drop in the oxygen levels and arouses or wakes the sleeper, causing the airway to open. People with sleep apnea often awake with a gasp or snort, with the pattern occurring 5-30 times an hour all night long.
Bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP): BiPAP machines introduce positive pressure into your upper airway and lungs to keep your airway open and prevent it from narrowing or collapsing. BiPAP machines can be set to different pressures for breathing in and out.
that being said I hear your concerns but your caring approach rates a nil on the merits of your snobby retort …. Practitioners like you on your high horse rev my motor . I too suffer from FIBRILLARY GLOMERULONEPHRITIS and LUPUS PNEUMONITIS and am on my third pacemaker and on ltot(long term oxygen therapy) and have both central sleep apnea and and severe hypoxemia (awake 75 %spo2 and 52% slow at sleep off treatment ) and feel worse on CPAP treatment as either APAP OR CPAP .
Some devices may work on the jaw and tongue at the same time. Oral appliances are considered a first-line treatment option for mild to moderate OSA and are recommended for people with severe OSA who have problems with higher pressure intolerance, are non-responders to a CPAP device (or prefer not to use a CPAP machine).
For patients using CPAP in the outpatient setting at home, it is important to wear it regularly while asleep overnight and during daytime naps.
Some patients are able to receive a little relief by changing their sleep positions. It is suggested that when possible, lay in a position that allows your chin to remain above your torso.
if unable to use or get consistent benefit from Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) it’s prescribed by your doctor. To learn more, read our guide to Medicare coverage for CPAP machines and supplies.
The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved or otherwise endorsed by our advertisers.
During a consultation, they will ask about your sleep patterns and perform a medical exam. A sleep specialist may suggest you participate in an overnight sleep study—a test monitoring your breathing, oxygen levels, and heart rate—to diagnose OSA.