Treatment
There are several ways of treating sleep apnoea depending on the severity and body position during sleep. The most common treatments are CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure), MAS (Mandibular Advancement Splints) or positional therapy device. CPAP has been shown to be 100% effective at eliminating obstructive sleep apneas in the majority of people who use the therapy according to their doctor’s recommendations.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the throat muscles relax and block the airway during sleep. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is a form of ventilation. It provides a constant level of pressure above atmospheric pressure that is continuously applied to prevent the upper airway collapsing. CPAP has shown to be the most effective form of treatment for any form of apnea.
What to expect
CPAP will be prescribed by our associated clinic Somahealth Sleep and Respiratory clinic in Leichhardt. Commencing CPAP usually starts with a trial period, where you can rent the device for a period of one month to gain familiarity with breathing on a CPAP machine and also trial different masks to find the one that feels most comfortable. Unintentional leakage can occur with different masks, so finding the right mask is very important.
There are also some government programs that can provide you with long term CPAP machines at a fraction of the cost of purchasing.
Mandibular Advancement Splint (MAS)
A Mandibular Splint or Mandibular Advancement Splint (MAS) is a custom-made medical device worn in the mouth, used to primarily treat snoring and low severity sleep apnea. Patients can be intolerable to CPAP therapy and the MAS provided an alternative treatment for snoring without obstructive sleep apnea compared to no treatment.
Positional Therapy
Positional therapy is a behavioural strategy that involves wearing a special device around the neck or back, which assists in keeping the individual sleeping on their side. Sleep apnoea can sometimes occur more frequently while sleeping on the back. Maintaining sleep on the side can help to reduce obstruction of the airway.
