Sleep apnea treatment options - Healthcare Professional | Resmed
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Sleep apnea treatment options

There are a number of sleep apnea treatment options available to meet a wide variety of patient needs. Thanks to these options, patients with even severe sleep apnea may experience a return to normal sleep patterns.

Positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy

PAP therapy is widely regarded as the most effective way to treat obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and certain types of central sleep apnea (CSA). It works by creating a “pneumatic splint” for the upper airway, preventing the soft tissues of the upper airway from narrowing and collapsing. Pressurized air is sent from a device through to the upper airway via air tubing and a mask worn over the face.

CPAP, APAP and bilevel therapy

Positive airway pressure therapy can be delivered in a number of modes:

  • Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), which delivers air at a fixed pressure.
  • Automatic positive airway pressure (APAP), which automatically adjusts pressure levels based on a patient’s breathing. APAP may be suitable for patients with REM-related sleep apnea, positional apnea or who experience noncompliance with standard CPAP therapy.
  • Bilevel therapy, which provides higher inspiratory pressure and lower expiratory pressure. Bilevel can be effective for patients who are non-compliant with CPAP, and is often the first line of treatment for a wide range of respiratory disorders other than OSA.

Patient outcomes and comorbidities

Helping your patients start and continue with the most effective sleep apnea treatment can help them regain control of their lives. Effective treatment has been shown to reverse the effects of daytime sleepiness, fatigue, moodiness and depression. And studies have shown that when patients are successful with their therapy, their long-term health care costs are at least 50% lower overall1.

There are also a variety of serious comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and stroke that have a strong connection to sleep apnea.

Oral appliance therapy and surgery

Also called a mandibular repositioning device (MRD), oral appliances can be an effective therapy option for patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea. These are custom-made, adjustable oral appliances that hold the lower jaw in a forward position during sleep, with a mechanical protrusion that expands the space behind the tongue and puts tension on the pharyngeal walls to reduce collapse of the airway and diminish palate vibration.

Surgery is also an option for treating sleep apnea, but as with all surgeries, comes with associated risks. Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) is the most commonly performed surgical procedure for OSA in the United States, offering a mixed rate of success.

References

  1. Source: Benjafield et al. Climate Control: Humidification with heated tube. Resmed Science Center 2010