The National Sleep Foundation estimates that approximately 18 million adults in the United States suffer from sleep apnea. The use of a CPAP machine is the most frequent recommendation for treating this illness, which can range in severity from mild to severe. However, most people don't utilize it because it can be cumbersome, loud, and painful to wear.

But there are various CPAP alternatives for sleep apnea, depending on a variety of conditions. It's crucial to learn more about sleep apnea before looking into CPAP alternatives.

The signs and causes of sleep apnea

Breathing pauses occur repeatedly all through the night as a result of sleep apnea. The most prevalent type, obstructive sleep apnea, occurs when the muscles in the throat relax, causing the tissue in the back of the throat to droop down and obstruct the airway.

Sleep apnea is associated with a number of dangerous medical issues in addition to making people drowsy during the day. These include type 2 diabetes, obesity, and high blood pressure. These consequences can be avoided by seeking treatment as soon as you can.

CPAP therapy

CPAP, an abbreviation for continuous positive airway pressure, is a popular sleep apnea treatment (although research suggests it may be helpful for people with mild sleep apnea, too). It entails sleeping with a mask covering the mouth and nose. As long as they can keep their mouth closed while they sleep, some people can use a mask that only covers their noses.

The mask is connected to a device that maintains the airways open by softly blowing air into them. Although CPAP is a successful treatment, it can be cumbersome. Up to 83% of patients who start CPAP don't continue the treatment, and one cause is discomfort.

There are many reasons why people with OSA look for sleep apnea solutions without CPAP

Compliance Requirements: According to insurance companies like Medicare, CPAP users must follow a 30-day compliance period4 and use the equipment for at least 4 hours a night on 70% of the nights. Patients who find it challenging to comply with these regulations may feel their privacy is being violated.

Side Effects: CPAP users have several side effects. Others report discomfort from the mask,5 as well as dry mouth, red or itchy eyes, and a dry, stuffy, or runny nose.

Adherence: Up to 50% of users may not use their CPAP machines regularly.

The good news is that people who want to avoid wearing a mask as much as possible have many other sleep apnea treatment choices at their disposal. We've provided five options below. 

Surgery

Tonsils and adenoids are frequently removed from kids with OSA. Surgical procedures that could be a helpful sleep apnea alternative treatment include:

Maxillomandibular Advancement (MMA): Repositioning of the upper and lower jawbones 15 to maintain an open upper airway

Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty: The upper airway's surrounding tissue is removed during this procedure.

With a tracheostomy, a hole is made in the windpipe so that a tube can be introduced to help with breathing.

Implanting devices are necessary for some therapies. A stimulator is inserted into the nerve that regulates tongue movement during hypoglossal nerve stimulation (HNS). The tongue is positioned to maintain the airway open when this nerve is activated. HNS has been shown through studies to improve quality of life, mood, daytime drowsiness, and sleep quantity.

Exercise to Lose Weight

The risk of OSA is increased by obesity. Significant weight loss, according to research, can lessen OSA severity. A diet adjustment combined with a minimum of three hours of moderate activity per week can be an effective alternative treatment for sleep apnea, according to a study on weight loss interventions for OSA. Per a different study, bariatric surgery can lessen OSA severity. When treating obesity medically, patients should consult an endocrinologist or specialist in obesity medicine. OSA cannot be cured by weight loss alone, though. 

Position for Sleep

The frequency of apnea episodes you experience during a night rises when you sleep on your back with your face up toward the ceiling in the supine position. Your tongue and larynx may prevent you from breathing when you have OSA and sleep on your back9. According to one study, supine-predominant sleep apnea affects roughly 62% of persons with OSA.

Experts advise sleeping on your side rather than your back to lessen the effects of OSA. Patients who wear devices that inform them while they are lying on their backs experience fewer apnea occurrences, according to studies.

Devices for Mandibular Advancement

Your top and lower teeth are covered by mandibular advancement devices, which also hold your jaw in a position that prevents it from obstructing your upper airway. These Oral appliances for sleep apnea are less expensive than CPAP machines, silent, and simple to use. Mandibular advancement devices, however, function best in people with moderate OSA or those who only experience OSA while they sleep on their backs.

Consider altering a few of your normal habits.

You can alter some aspects of your lifestyle to lessen snoring and reduce the symptoms of sleep apnea. Sleep apnea alternatives can include changes in behavior, such as giving up smoking or consuming less alcohol, which may lessen the symptoms 

Alcohol causes your throat muscles to relax, which can lead to snoring or a collapsed airway. If you have allergies, taking a decongestant before night may help you breathe more easily.

Find out from our healthcare practitioner the best sleep apnea treatment. They will discuss which CPAP is suitable for your OSA. To give your doctor a detailed picture of how OSA affects your life, make note of your symptoms and sleeping patterns. You can create a treatment alternative sleep apnea strategy to lessen your apnea episodes together.