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Alternatives for CPAP Devices

Sleep apnea is a potentially dangerous condition in which the patient's throat muscles relax, the airway becomes obstructed, and the patient intermittently stops breathing. A Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) device is commonly used to treat both sleep apnea and snoring. While sleeping, the apnea patient wears a mask that is designed to keep air flowing through nasal passages. However, some patients find the mask uncomfortable and give up the treatment. For those patients, there may be alternatives to the CPAP device.

  1. Throat and Mouth Surgery

    • A procedure called Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) removes tissue from the top of the patient's throat and the back of his mouth, or the soft palate. The surgery is performed in a hospital, and often the tonsils and adenoids are removed at the same time. The procedure is not always successful in treating sleep apnea, however, because the initial condition can be caused by collapse of parts of the airway other than the soft palate.

    Laser-Assisted Uvulopalatoplasty

    • Laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) is becoming popular as a treatment for patients with mild apnea. It can be performed in the physician's office. The surgeon uses a carbon dioxide laser to remove part of the uvula, the small triangular piece of tissue that hangs from the soft palate above the back of the tongue. Success of the procedure may depend directly on the skill of the surgeon, and patients may experience pain for several weeks after the surgery.

    Jaw Surgery

    • Another type of surgical apnea procedure is jaw correction surgery, called maxillomandibular advancement. Parts of the jaw are moved forward to enlarge the space in back of the tongue. Another form of this surgery involves moving the tongue forward. The procedure is generally performed by an oral surgeon.

    Neck Surgery

    • In serious cases of apnea, a tracheostomy, or opening in the neck, may be performed. The surgeon places a tube into the opening that the patient breathes through. The opening may be kept covered in daytime, but is uncovered at night to allow the patient to breath without being stopped by blockage.

    Implants

    • Patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea may be candidates for implants in a procedure in which three small polyester rods are placed in the soft palate to support the tissue and help prevent the upper airway from collapsing.

    Lifestyle Changes

    • Weight loss may relieve sleep apnea.

      Many sleep apnea patients are overweight, so losing weight may bring relief. Some patients find that sleeping on their sides, rather than their back, prevents the airway from closing. Sewing a tennis ball into the back of the patient's pajamas serves as a common "reminder" to turn over. Alcohol and medications such as sleeping pills and tranquilizers can interfere with breathing; avoid them.

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