Sleep Apnea & Snoring Treatment Options
Depending on the severity of your snoring and sleep apnea, there are different treatments that have been clinically studied and are recommended by physicians.
Clinically recommended treatment options:
Oral Appliance Therapy – works by repositioning the lower jaw and tongue to create more space in the airway, and to increase muscle tone in the throat during sleep. The Silencer is a custom fit oral appliance designed by Dr. Halstrom to treat snoring and mild to moderate sleep apnea.
CPAP – stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure and works by inflating your airway with room air pressure while you sleep. CPAP prevents all airway blockages and is often considered the “gold standard” for sleep apnea therapy. CPAP consists of a device that sits on your bedside table like and alarm clock. CPAP blows humidified room air into a tube and small mask that you wear while you sleep. While being very effective while being worn, some patients do struggle with wearing the mask and tolerating the device.
Lifestyle Changes – For some people, snoring and sleep apnea may be improved by making lifestyle changes like:
- Avoiding alcohol and sedatives
- Quitting smoking
- Avoiding sleeping on your back
- Losing weight
Surgery – is an option for certain patients with excess tissue in the airway. A referral from your family physician to an ENT surgeon would be required.