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Do you suffer from sleep apnea? Is it preventing you from getting a good night’s rest? If so, you’ve probably heard about surgical treatment options to alleviate your symptoms. However, in Bend, Oregon, there are also several non-surgical treatment options available. Whether you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea or are just beginning to experience its symptoms, it’s important to know your options. Below, we’ll discuss the causes and symptoms of sleep apnea, as well as non-surgical treatment options available in Bend.

Understanding Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by a person having pauses in their breathing while asleep. These pauses can last from just a few seconds to several minutes, and can occur numerous times per night. The major types of sleep apneas are central sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea, and complex sleep apnea.

Central sleep apnea occurs when the brain doesn’t send breathing signals to the muscles. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when there is a blockage in the airways, making it difficult to breathe, while complex sleep apnea occurs when a person has a combination of central and obstructive sleep apnea.

Symptoms of sleep apnea can be wide-ranging, and may include loud and chronic snoring, periods of breathlessness during sleep, and waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat. Other symptoms can include morning headaches, irritability, daytime fatigue, trouble concentrating, and gasping for air upon awaking. Symptoms can be more pronounced in people with obesity, but the disorder can also affect individuals of normal weight.

Non-Surgical Treatment Options for Sleep Apnea

In addition to the various surgical treatment options available for sleep apnea, there are also several non-surgical treatment options available in Bend. For example, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is a widely used method for treating sleep apnea. With this therapy, the individual will be fitted with a face mask that is connected to a machine that delivers a stream of air to the nasal passages. This constant forced air pressure helps keep the airway open, preventing pauses in breathing. While CPAP therapy is extremely effective in treating sleep apnea, it is not necessarily well-tolerated by every patient.

Dental mouthpieces, which are also used to treat sleep apnea, are designed to keep the throat and tongue muscles in such a way as to open up the airway during sleep. These devices can be custom made by dentists or purchased over-the-counter.

In some cases, weight reduction can also be an important part of a treatment plan. Snoring and sleep apnea can be a byproduct of excess weight, so attaining a healthy weight can reduce or reverse the condition.

Alternative Treatment Options for Sleep Apnea

In addition to CPAP therapy, dental mouthpieces, and weight reduction, there are also some non-surgical alternative treatment options available for sleep apnea. For example, some people have found relief from optometry devices, which utilize negative pressure to gently pull the tissues in the throat forward. These devices can also be created by an ear, nose, and throat physician.

Positional therapy is another non-surgical alternative treatment option for sleep apnea. Taking advantage of gravity to keep the airway open, positional therapy involves sleeping in diagonal positions or sleeping slightly elevated by using large pillows.

In some cases, sleep medications can be useful in treating symptoms of sleep apnea. For people with obstructive sleep apnea, certain medications, such as trazodone, can help alleviate symptoms. However, sleep medications are not recommended for everyone, and should only be taken with the guidance of a healthcare provider.

Final Thoughts

If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of sleep apnea, it’s important to seek medical treatment. In Bend, Oregon, non-surgical treatments can be effective in treating sleep apnea, either alone or in combination with other options. Whatever treatment method you choose, it’s important to work closely with a healthcare provider to determine the best course of action. With the right treatment, you can get a good night’s sleep and feel revitalized in the morning.