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Alternatives to CPAP Machines

One of the most common sleeping disorders that affect people is obstructive sleep apnea. According to the Mayo Clinic, this occurs when an individual's breathing is disrupted in the middle of the night by the airway being blocked. Most people who suffer from sleep apnea are older adults or those who are overweight. The most common treatment is the use of the CPAP, or continuous positive airway pressure machine, which clears the airway and allows oxygen to flow normally. Alternative treatments are also available.

  1. Surgical alternatives

    • A surgical alternative to the CPAP machine treats sleep apnea. The procedure is called an uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) and involves removing the soft, excess tissue located in the back of the throat. This tissue typically collapses once the muscles are relaxed as you fall asleep. Some versions of the UPPP use laser or radio frequency techniques to perform the surgery, although doctors do not recommend this for sleep apnea. Other medical procedures that help sleep apnea symptoms include nasal surgery for a deviated septum and tonsillectomy.

    Oral implant

    • Another option that is available to treat obstructive sleep apnea is the Pillar implant procedure. According to the Mayo Clinic, the oral implant places tiny rods in the soft tissue at the back of your throat. The overall goal of the procedure is to have the rods support the tissue in the back of the throat that usually collapses in the middle of the night as you sleep. While it can be effective, the Pillar procedure is only recommended for those with mild to moderate sleep apnea.

    Home treatments

    • There are two main home treatments that you can do to help ease the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea. The first one is to sleep on your side. This limits the soft tissue collapse in the throat and can help you breathe easier. If you have a hard time sleeping in this position, then sewing a tennis ball into the back of your pajamas can help you to learn how to sleep on your side. Another option is to raise your bed and put it at an angle. Raising only the headboard of the bed by as little as 6 inches can help; due to your head being slightly elevated, gravity can keep the soft throat tissue from collapsing. This will help to reduce airway blockage, and therefore some of the symptoms of sleep apnea.

    Lifestyle changes

    • One of the main causes of obstructive sleep apnea for many people is their weight. Fat helps make the tissue in the back of the throat soft and weaker, therefore leading to sleep apnea. Losing weight can help to reduce and eventually eliminate sleep apnea over time. Along with weight loss, the Mayo Clinic says to stay away from medications, specifically sleeping pills and tranquilizers, and alcohol because they can also increase the likelihood of sleep apnea. Those products cause the muscles to relax more than normal, and that can affect the throat muscles.

    Considerations

    • Obstructive sleep apnea is a serious condition, but one that can be treated with a variety of different methods. The CPAP machine is the most widely recommended course of action, but it is certainly not the only one. Any of the above mentioned options can help to reduce or eliminate the symptoms of sleep apnea. If you suspect that you may suffer from this condition, see your doctor; she may refer you to a sleep clinic.

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