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Non-Surgical Therapy For Sleep Apnea

Weight loss in many cases will improve sleep apnea. In milder cases, weight loss may result in significant changes in snoring to the point that apnea episodes would disappear. For the excessively overweight individuals, losing weight is more of a challenge since you may be too tired to exercise until effective treatment for your sleep apnea is established. There is a direct correlation between increasing neck size and sleep apnea. Fat deposition between your chin and "Adam’s apple" may be responsible for pushing your tongue closer to your soft palate, a key area of obstruction.

Medications and alcohol will not cause sleep apnea but it very possible that over use may aggravate an existing obstructive situation. Alcohol and certain medications such as muscle relaxants, sedatives and pain killers will depress the central nervous system. This will lead to further relaxation of the airway and combined with shallow breathing will result in more apnea events. Therefore, avoidance of certain medication close to bedtime would be a wise decision.

Oral Appliances are suggested to patients who have mild to moderate sleep apnea because there tongue is too close to the back wall of their throat. After making impressions of your bite a device may be fashioned by a dentist to bring your lower jaw into a more forward position for sleep. This will move your tongue forward possibly relieving any obstruction from the back of your tongue.

CPAP is the most effective, non surgical treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. With the improved air flow to your lungs, your blood oxygen improves and your brain cells "wake up". The result is a more awake and alert individual. There is usually a "break-in" period to build up ones tolerance to the device.