Sleep apnea is a common disorder that affects millions of people. It is estimated that around 5% of the population has it, and most don’t know they do. Sleep apnea causes pauses in breathing during sleep, which can lead to lasting health consequences such as obesity and heart disease. This blog post examines whether there are any effective treatments for the condition available today.

The most recommended treatment for sleep apnea is a CPAP machine. This is a machine that administers pressurized air through the nose and forces it into your windpipe, which increases airflow to your lungs. This treatment works for most people with sleep apnea but there are some difficulties involved. Some of these issues include discomfort from wearing an uncomfortable mask all night and difficulty finding one’s way around in total darkness.

Medications such as benzodiazepines are occasionally prescribed to help treat sleep apnea. This medication merely relaxes the airways of people who have taken it. This isn’t usually useful because obstructive sleep apnea is caused by airway blockages created by relaxed tissues in your throat, therefore taking medicine to relax your throat further won’t assist the situation. Unfortunately, a medication is unlikely to be the best treatment for sleep apnea.

For now, the first line of defense for those living with sleep apnea is a CPAP machine. But what if your CPAP machine is too uncomfortable for you to sleep with? There are also oral appliances available!

An oral appliance is a type of mouth guard that can help keep your airway open. It may be worn while you sleep, or it could simply be used during the daytime to retrain your jaw and tongue muscles to stay in place when they’re relaxed. Many people find oral appliances to be much more tolerable because there is no face mask, tubes, or large machine.

Find Sleep Apnea Relief in Washington

Dr. Buck is a facial orthopedist based in the state of Washington. Through teamwork and combining their expertise, Dr. Buck and his fellow ENT physicians and pulmonologists help their patients find relief from sleep apnea. With Dr. Buck and his team, relief from the severity and alleviate symptoms of sleep breathing issues is possible. For more information on Dr. Buck’s practice and the treatment options he provides, please schedule an appointment by giving us a call today at 425-361-7499. Additionally, one may contact us by filling out our online form.