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Treating Sleep Apnea: Surgery, Equipment and Supplies

Translated literally, the Greek word "apnea" means "without breath." Sleep apnea, therefore, is a disorder that causes a person to stop breathing for short periods of time during sleep. There are numerous factors that contribute to sleep apnea, and many people who experience the disorder don't even know that they are victims.

The Types of Sleep Apnea

Generally, sleep apnea can be divided into two categories:

Central Sleep Apnea (CSA): Central sleep apnea is related to the central nervous system and occurs when the brain fails to tell the body to breathe. This type of sleep apnea is common in people with neuromuscular diseases.

Since many cases of CSA are rooted in other medical conditions, doctors will often treat CSA by dealing with underlying medical conditions. However, some CSA sufferers also benefit from using respiratory equipment.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type of sleep apnea. It is caused when a person's airway is blocked by something, such as enlarged tonsils. It can also occur when the soft tissue at the back of the throat collapses for brief periods during sleep.

While doctors might suggest treating OSA with lifestyle changes, such as losing weight or quitting smoking, more serious cases might require respiratory medical equipment or surgery.

The National Institute of Health reports that more than 12 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea. Yet, because so many people are unaware that they suffer from the disorder, many people go untreated. Diagnosis is important, because without the proper treatment, sleep apnea can contribute to many health problems, including:

heart disease
high blood pressure
impotence
memory complications
severe headaches.

In addition to these complications, people who do not sleep well tend to have higher rates of depression than average sleepers.

Treatments for Sleep Apnea

While surgery is an option for some people suffering from OSA, the costs and success rates of the different surgeries vary greatly. As with any surgery, it is essential to choose an experienced doctor with a solid reputation and to discuss coverage with your health insurance carrier.

Surgical options for OSA include:

Tonsillectomy and/or Adenoidectomy: This surgery is an option if you have enlarged tonsils and/or adenoids that are blocking your airway during sleep. It removes the tonsils and/or the adenoids.
Tracheotomy: In this surgery, the surgeon puts a hole in your windpipe (trachea) and inserts a tube in the hole to help bring in air.

Doctors rarely resort to this surgery, as it may cause other health problems. However, almost all people who have a tracheotomy are cured of their sleep apnea.
Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty: This surgery removes excess throat tissue to widen the airway. It is the most common surgery to treat sleep apnea in adults.

Oral Appliances for Sleep Apnea

Rather than resort to surgery, many people with sleep apnea may try using oral appliances to treat their condition. Oral appliances are less expensive than some of the other sleep apnea treatment options and are usually prescribed for milder cases of the disorder. Here are two common devices:

Mandibular-Advancement Devices: Mandibular-Advancement Devices help keep the airway open by placing pressure on the lower jaw so that it moves forward.
Tongue-Retaining Device: A tongue-retaining device prevents the tongue from falling backward and over the airway during sleep.

Non-Surgical Sleep Disorder Equipment

Some people choose non-surgical treatments for sleep apnea, such as using respiratory equipment and respiratory medical equipment supplies. In order to determine if this method of treatment is best for you, talk to your doctor about the severity of your sleep apnea.

Perhaps the most effective non-surgical treatment option for sleep apnea is a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) device, which uses a facemask to blow air into your mouth, forcing the throat to stay open during sleep.

CPAP devices can be difficult to use, initially, and patients usually need to spend time with a representative to ensure that the equipment fits properly. Some patients complain of tight straps, which in addition to being uncomfortable can also interfere with the necessary airflow. Others complain of feeling claustrophobic when using the device.

Resources

Care Medical (2006). Respiratory Equipment. Retrieved January 13, 2007, from the Care Medical Web site:
http://www.caremedical.com/respiratory-equipment.shtml.

Dement, Koenigsberg. (n.d). The Best Available Guide to Understanding OSA. Retrieved January 13, 2007, from the Sleepquest Web site: http://www.sleepquest.com/s_osa.html.

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