Sleep Treatments
Therapy For Sleep Problems
Is a technique for treating sleep disorders without (or alongside) prescriptions. Insomnia is a common issue people have involving trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or getting quality sleep. Therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) aims to improve sleep habits and behaviors by identifying and changing the thoughts and the behaviors that are affecting the ability to allow the person to sleep or sleep well.
The first step in treating insomnia with CBT-I is to identify the underlying causes of the insomnia. People with insomnia should evaluate or have their sleep patterns evaluated and take into account all possible factors that may be affecting the person’s ability to sleep. This would involve keeping a sleep diary or journal for a couple weeks. The journal will help identify habits of thought or behavior, stress, etc. that could be contributing to the person’s insomnia.
After identifying the possible underlying cause and the factors contributing to the insomnia, you can begin taking steps towards getting better sleep. In CBT-I these steps include stimulus control, sleep hygiene, sleep restriction, relaxation training, and cognitive therapy.
Therapy For Obstructive Sleep Apnea Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)
Continuous positive airway pressure therapy (CPAP) uses a machine to help with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), allowing you to breathe more easily during sleep. A CPAP machine increases air pressure in the throat so that the airway doesn’t collapse when breathing in. With use of a CPAP machine, sleeping partners may also sleep better as well.
A CPAP machine is used at home every night while sleeping. The CPAP machine will have one of the following:
- A mask that covers the nose and mouth
- A mask that covers only the nose – nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP)
- Prongs that fit into the nose
Oral Appliance Therapy For Sleep Problems
Is an effective treatment option for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). A custom-fit oral sleep appliance can improve your sleep, restore your alertness and revitalize your health.
About Oral Appliance Therapy
Worn only during sleep, an oral appliance fits like a sports mouth guard or an orthodontic retainer. It supports the jaw in a forward position to help maintain an open upper airway. Research shows that oral appliance therapy is an effective treatment option for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.
Furthermore, if you and your doctor decide that oral appliance therapy is the best treatment option for you, then your doctor will write a prescription for you to receive a custom-made oral appliance. You also will receive a referral to a qualified dentist who can provide oral appliance therapy. More than 100 oral appliances have received FDA clearance. Your dentist will recommend the oral appliance that is best for you. In addition, oral appliance therapy is covered by many medical insurance plans.
Advantages of Oral Appliance Therapy
Oral appliance therapy is an effective, non-invasive treatment that fits easily into your lifestyle. Most like oral appliance therapy because it is:
- Comfortable
- Easy to wear
- Quiet
- Portable
- Convenient for travel
- Easy to care for
Surgery For Sleep Problems
Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) is a procedure which removes excess tissue in the throat to make the airway wider. This sometimes can allow air to move through the throat more easily when you breathe, reducing the severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
The tissues that are removed may include:
- The soft finger-shaped tissue that hangs down from the back of the roof of the mouth into the throat (uvula.)
- Part of the roof of the mouth (soft palate).
- Excess throat tissue, tonsils, and adenoids.
If an englarged tongue is a factor in your sleep apnea, the surgeon may remove a small part of the tongue. This is called an uvulopalatopharyngoglossoplasty.
What to expect after surgery for sleep problems
Some pain medicines can relax the throat muscles. You may have to avoid these medicines after surgery to make it less likely that your airways will narrow and cause apnea episodes.
Why It’s done
Your doctor may suggest UPPP if you:
- Have excess tissue in your nose, mouth, or throat that blocks your airway.
- Do not want to have an opening made in your windpipe (tracheostomy) to treat sleep apnea.
- Children usually do not have UPPP. For them, removing the tonsils and adenoids usually cures sleep apnea.
How well It works
UPPP may reduce sleep apnea in some people, but results are mixed.
UPPP may stop snoring, but apnea episodes may continue.
Weight Loss For Sleep Problems
As a result of weight loss patients can significantly improve and potentially eliminate obstructive sleep apnea symptoms in obese people.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea is most common in overweight and obese people. The sleep disorder causes loud snoring and sleep disruptions as a result of the airway becoming temporarily blocked during sleep. Therefore, If untreated, obstructive sleep apnea can also increase the risk of high blood pressure, stroke, and heart disease.