Your 3 Treatment Options for Sleep Apnea

ADVENT 3 Options For Sleep Apnea Treatment Blog
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Published on
September 18, 2021
Updated on
March 22, 2023

If you suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) or even suspect that you do, you might just want to jump headfirst into the solution you hear about most often. The thing is, in order to understand which of the OSA treatment options is right for you, it's necessary to first diagnose what is causing the symptoms.

It's a common assumption that snoring is just a nasal issue, but it's more likely a throat issue. Either the tonsils are too big, the tongue is too big for the size of the back of the throat, or the palate is being elongated. Most folks have all these issues in play.

So this is where treatment begins when you visit an ADVENT ENT clinic. First, we'll give you a thorough Breathing Triangle® evaluation. This will determine if your airway is working properly -- including your nose and throat. If you have symptoms of sleep apnea or if your throat is too tight, you'll do an at-home sleep study to determine if you have OSA, and if you do, how severe it is.

Based on those results and the study of your anatomy, we can then layout a customized treatment plan for you, and discuss your options.

Why A Breathing Triangle Evaluation for Sleep Apnea?

Why do we start with a Breathing Triangle® Evaluation? Because sleep apnea devices do not work effectively if your airway is compromised in any way. Unfortunately, many sleep clinics skip this step which is why CPAP compliance nationwide is around 33%.

Sleep Apnea Treatment Option #1: CPAP

CPAP machine-ADVENT

The first and arguably most common option to treat sleep apnea symptoms is the CPAP machine. CPAP, which stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, is a bedside machine that connects to a face mask with a hose and forces air into your nose and mouth.

The forced airflow puffs out your throat, much like when you puff out your cheeks, and tents open the areas that are collapsing while you sleep.

Sleep Apnea Treatment Option #2: Oral Appliance

oral appliance ADVENT

The next available option to treat sleep apnea symptoms is an oral appliance. This object is basically a retainer that you wear while sleeping, fitting between your upper and lower teeth.

This device pulls your lower jaw forward, preventing your tongue from falling back and closing your airway. Most folks who are good candidates for a CPAP are also good candidates for an oral appliance. However, many people never hear of this option because most sleep centers don't offer this option.

Sleep Apnea Treatment Option #3: Procedures

incision_nasal_cavity_ADVENT

And finally, there are various procedures that you can have done to help treat the symptoms of OSA. The goal of these procedures is to either stiffen the tissue in the back of the throat or to remove the tissue blocking the airways.

The most common procedure to consider is tonsil removal. If your tonsils are too big, a tonsillectomy can be an ideal solution to open up space in the back of the throat, making more room for airflow.

Another procedure called uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP or UP3) removes the tonsils as well as part of the soft palate and the uvula. This option again opens up the back of the throat.

One-Size-Fits-All Sleep Apnea Treatments

Some patients will find success with certain solutions, and others will not. And some will combine solutions, like using a CPAP and oral appliance together.

The thing is, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to treat OSA. If your nose isn't working properly, a CPAP or an oral appliance aren't going to magically solve your problem. However, it's helpful to have options. It's really about figuring out what the right option is for each individual.

When you connect your sleep study results with the diagnosis of your anatomy, it can point you in the right direction -- and most importantly, give you choices. Because we know, there is no one size fits all approach to treating sleep apnea. Ultimately, it's up to what you want...and now you know, you have options.                                            

                               
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First published by ADVENT on
September 18, 2021
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