Sleep Apnea Treatment Options Your Doctor May Recommend

Written By Anita Ginsburg / Reviewed By Ray Spotts

Sleep apnea is a pervasive medical problem that many people will have to deal with at some point over the years. While sleep apnea might seem like a frustrating issue that won’t seem to go away no matter what you try, an experienced doctor should be able to help you come up with a plan that boosts your health and improves your breathing.

Lifestyle Changes

In many cases, the first thing that a doctor will suggest for sleep apnea patients is lifestyle changes. While changes to your lifestyle might not cure sleep apnea entirely, they could help you mitigate many of the symptoms.

Some of the lifestyle changes that your doctor might suggest include losing weight, quitting smoking, exercising, and limiting your alcohol intake. All of those changes can have a big impact on your airways while you sleep as well as your overall health.

Changes to Your Sleeping Habits

Altering your sleep habits is another simple step that you can take to minimize the effects of sleep apnea. The position that you sleep in will alter your breathing pattern, and that is why many doctors tell their patients to sleep on their sides.

There are also many different pillows and cushions that can be used to straighten your airways while you sleep, and those products are highly effective for some patients.

CPAP Machine

A CPAP machine is a simple device that is placed over the mouth and nose while you are sleeping. When the device is turned on, it will provide continuous air to your lungs so that you can breathe normally. CPAP machines are ideal devices for many sleep apnea patients because they are affordable, comfortable, portable, and very easy to use.

Surgery

For the most severe cases of sleep apnea, surgery might be required. Chronic sleep apnea can be caused by bulges in the airways, oversized tonsils, a misaligned jaw, a deviated nasal septum, and many other medical issues that require surgery.

Luckily, those procedures are safer and more effective than ever, and they often require very little downtime. The results can also last a lifetime if the patient remains healthy and follows their doctor's aftercare instructions.

It is an unfortunate fact that many people leave sleep apnea untreated for years, and that can take a major toll on one’s health. If you think that you might have sleep apnea, then you should schedule a consultation with your doctor right away to explore all of your treatment options.

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Written By:

Anita Ginsburg is a freelance writer from Denver, Colo. She studied at Colorado State University, and now writes articles about health, business, family and finance. A mother of two, she enjoys traveling with her family whenever she isn't writing. You can follow her on Twitter @anitaginsburg.

Reviewed By:

Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com.