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This method
was established
to promote information
effectively
just like a
homepage on
the internet
which provides
“pop-up” boxes
for inquiries,
testimonials,
and related
stories. In
the case of
the ASAA plan,
formerly treated
patients will
hopefully create
“pop-up” diagnoses
amongst their
friends, family
members or acquaintances
who were previously
undiagnosed.
The diabetes
society and
cancer society,
for example,
use this same
technique to
promote awareness
through their
previously diagnosed
patients.
Of course, like
any other disease
or health condition,
medical research
has come up
with many forms
of medication
for sleep apnea.
These medications
are usually
oral and they
prevent and
control muscle
collapse in
the throat which
occurs during
sleep. This
is what causes
airway blockage
and then results
in sleep apnea.
It won’t be
you who will
determine the
suitable treatment
however! It
is only your
doctor who can
determine which
treatment will
be best.
There are many
medicated treatment
plans for sleep
apnea and one
of the more
famous and intriguing
approaches that
has shown great
results is the
“Pilar Procedure”.
This procedure
is carried out
by placing three
small woven
inserts into
the soft palate
of the mouth.
This reduces
the vibrations
that cause the
snoring noise
in sleep apnea
patients. According
to the FDA,
this treatment
is approved
and is virtually
pain free. About
eighty percent
of all patients
suffering from
sleep apnea
and snoring
have been satisfied
with the comfortable
effect of this
approach. This
is even true
considering
that it can
be done in one
simple office
visit!
Treatment of
the more mild
cases of sleep
apnea is often
done through
changes in lifestyle.
These changes
in lifestyle
include avoiding
medication that
causes relaxation
of the central
nervous system
such as sedatives
and muscle relaxants.
Instead, they
incorporate
the losing of
weight, the
quitting of
smoking and
the avoidance
of alcohol.
They also involve
sleeping in
a different
position with
the help of
a special pillow.
This pillow
is a device
that keeps you
from sleeping
on your back
to keep the
airway open
during sleep.
This tells us
that good posture
while sleeping
contributes
to the quality
of sleep. The
likes of a water
bed or a good
quality bed
mattress, for
instance, may
also provide
a comfortable
and relaxing
position that
result in a
deeper sleep.
Less fortunate
individuals
who suffer from
a more severe
case of sleep
apnea are typically
treated using
air blowing
machines called
Continuous Positive
Airway Pressure
(C-PAP) machines.
This instrument
blows air into
the nose of
the patient
via a tube and
a mask. For
a more severe
situation, another
type of machine
called a Bi-Level
Machine (Bi-PAP)
works by blowing
two different
pressures of
air to help
the lungs breathe
in and out properly.
In cases where
the modification
of either the
uvula or the
dangling tissue
at the rear
of the throat
is needed, uvulopalatopharygoplasty
or UPPP is a
form of surgery
that can be
carried out.
In children,
Adenotonsillectomy
along with weight
normalization
is considered
to be the first
line of treatment.
This procedure
is characterized
by the removal
of tonsils and
adenoids to
increase the
cross-sectional
airway of the
patient. Occasionally,
medical procedures
such as these
only help the
problem but
do not totally
eliminate it.
Therefore, they
must still be
accompanied
by a device
like a C-PAP,
nasal mask,
face mask, gel
mask or nasal
pillow.
Keeping your
healthy lifestyle
and regaining
your happy family
life are the
most significant
reasons for
seeking medical
treatment for
sleep apnea.
Bear in mind
that only a
doctor can determine
the causes and
the type of
the treatment
which suits
you best. It
is up to you
to seek out
the proper diagnosis
from a doctor
and attend to
this very serious
problem of sleep
apnea |
