CPAP therapy can be an effective treatment option for people living with OSA; however, its use can sometimes be uncomfortable and difficult, leading to noncompliance and ultimately decreasing effectiveness.
There are alternatives to CPAP therapy that offer comfortable and practical ways of managing sleep apnea. These may include lifestyle modifications, oral appliances, surgical options or variants of CPAP.
Oral Appliances
Oral appliances offer an alternative to CPAP therapy for treating sleep apnea. Custom mouthpieces such as oral appliances can help treat mild-to-moderate cases by keeping airways open, and are typically prescribed by dentists or orthodontists who specialize in sleep disorders. Custom fitted appliances typically cost from $1,500-$2,500 while insurance may cover some expenses; over-the-counter or non-custom devices are less effective and should only be used under supervision by trained dental professionals.
Oral appliances offer an effective alternative for those who can’t wear masks, as well as being more comfortable than PAP machines. A mandibular advancement device, which slightly moves the lower jaw forward to maintain open airways; or a tongue stabilization device (TSD) are two popular examples.
These devices are typically small, discreet and easy to travel with, making them great for use against snoring and improving sleep quality for both parties. By eliminating or reducing snoring altogether, these devices can also strengthen relationships while leading to healthier lives overall.
Oral appliances may not be a cure for sleep apnea, but they can make an incredible difference to quality of life for people suffering from mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. Consistent use can significantly lower the risk of various health conditions such as high blood pressure, stroke and atrial fibrillation; excessive daytime sleepiness; accidents caused by sleepy driving; as well as accidents or injuries from excessive daytime sleeping. Prior to making changes to your treatment plan, it’s wise to meet with a doctor or sleep specialist and discuss your options with them. They can assess your personal needs and goals related to treating sleep apnea before suggesting the most suitable course of action for you. They may also suggest surgery or nerve-stimulation devices as necessary – and explain both their advantages and disadvantages so you can make an informed decision.
Surgical Options
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) remains the go-to treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. But for some individuals who find CPAP uncomfortable or nonresponsive to treatment, other solutions exist, including oral appliances, other forms of PAP devices, surgery or nerve stimulation devices.
Obstructive sleep apnea is often caused by structural issues in the mouth, nose and throat. If this is your situation, such as having large tonsils, soft palate tissue that doesn’t support jaw bones properly or too small jaw bones for your face size; an otolaryngologist may perform surgery that helps alleviate these issues to ease or even eradicate your sleep apnea completely.
Central sleep apnea occurs when your brain fails to properly signal the muscles used for breathing. Although less prevalent, central sleep apnea still disrupts sleep significantly and could even lead to serious health problems if left untreated. Treatment usually includes medications or surgical solutions like implanted nerve stimulators.
For both cases, it is vitally important to see a physician to determine the optimal course of treatment for you. If you need guidance in finding solutions that suit you personally, speak to an experienced otolaryngologist specializing in sleep apnea for guidance and assistance with choosing a plan tailored specifically to you. You may also benefit from joining a sleep apnea support group; such groups provide great resources for making lifestyle changes to reduce symptoms as well as providing vital information and support if CPAP therapy cannot.
Nerve Stimulation
If CPAP isn’t providing relief due to sleep apnea or other health conditions, your doctor may suggest other solutions such as medication or oral appliances. Peripheral nerve stimulation – which involves targeting specific nerves in your body to interrupt and reduce pain signals sent directly from them into the brain – could also be effective for chronic conditions like fibromyalgia, shingles or diabetic neuropathy among others.
PNS Therapy involves attaching a small device to the targeted nerve for 60-days and using tiny electrical pulses to interrupt and boost healthy, non-pain signals. Similar to spinal cord stimulation, but without surgery.
Once in place, once the device is in place you’ll be able to adjust levels of pain-relieving stimulation from a remote control device. You’re free to do this at home or at work; additionally you have the freedom of showering with it detached (though not submerged) while keeping it on and off as necessary.
Studies conducted on this non-invasive pain management solution have produced impressive results, with over 70% of study participants reporting significant pain relief from VNS Therapy devices; recipients reported at least 50% reduction in intensity within one year.
At the Comprehensive Pain Institute of Bedford & Benbrook, we’re pleased to provide this cutting-edge pain management device as an alternative to opioids or long-term surgeries for our patients. If this treatment might be suitable for you, give us a call now to set up a consultation and experience the relief that awaits you! We look forward to helping you experience that much-deserved comfort.
Other PAP Devices
CPAP therapy is widely regarded as the treatment of choice for obstructive sleep apnea; however, there may be other solutions available to you if snoring or fatigue are impacting your daily life. When discussing options with your physician it’s essential that they’re taken into consideration.
An experienced otolaryngologist can assess whether your symptoms are due to obstructive sleep apnea, and recommend the most effective course of treatment. Other alternatives may include lifestyle modifications and oral appliances if CPAP doesn’t help, while surgical treatments may also prove useful for some individuals.
Sleep apnea treatment typically begins with a sleep study. At this point, doctors assess your breathing patterns and other contributing factors which may contribute to obstructive sleep apnea, then recommend the best PAP machine (CPAP, APAP, BiPAP or auto-titrating machines are all options available to them).
Different CPAP variants offer advanced methods of pressurized air delivery that may increase patient comfort and compliance, for instance bilevel positive airway pressure (BPAP) machines provide two separate levels of air pressure – one for inhalation and another for exhalation – making breathing easier for those struggling to meet the high-pressure requirements of traditional CPAPs.
Auto-titrating PAP machines adjust the pressure they deliver based on information provided by their device, to help ensure you get the ideal pressure to treat sleep apnea without needing a titration study and make starting treatment quicker and simpler.
Another new alternative is the FDA-cleared Daybreak device, which features a flexible balloon that helps stent your open airway during sleep. You can use this alongside therapies like oral appliances or use it on its own.
Sleep is essential to overall health and well-being, and if you or a loved one is suffering from snoring, frequent awakenings during the night or excessive daytime sleepiness it is wise to consult your physician or sleep specialist regarding potential treatments such as sleep apnea. They will explain all available alternatives such as CPAP therapy in detail in order to find an ideal solution tailored specifically to you and your symptoms.
