Treatment for snoring and sleep-time breathing disorders depends on the diagnosis and the severity of the problem. There are 4 types of interventions and therapies associated with treatment of snoring and sleep-time breathing disorders. The therapies are listed below by category with short descriptions. For a full description of their advantages, disadvantages, indications and contraindications, please download the Special Report on Sleep Apnea.
Behavior Modification
Description: Behavioral modification attempts to reduce risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea. Behavior modification therapy for snoring and sleep apnea includes:
Behavior Modifications
Treatment for Sleep Apnea
- Exercise: to lower your Body Mass Index (BMI) to below 25
- Weight Loss: to lower BMI below 25 and reduce fat deposition in neck area
- Change in sleep posture from back-sleeping to side-sleeping minimizes adverse tongue position with respect to airway.
- Use of contoured pillows to position head to maximize airway space.
- Change in dietary habits to reduce alcohol and caloric intake in the 3 hours preceding sleep.
Sleep Apnea Oral Appliance
Oral Appliances for Snoring and Sleep Apnea
Description: Oral Appliances for snoring and sleep apnea are retainer-like appliances that fit over both the upper and the lower teeth. The appliances work by advancing the position of the lower jaw forward, thereby increasing the airway space in the back of the mouth. Most oral appliances allow patients to freely open and close, but maintain a forward posture of the lower jaw.
CPAP Treatment for Sleep
Apnea
CPAP: Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Device
Description: Continuous Positive Airway Pressure device is a respiratory therapy device that blows compressed air through the nostrils at a prescribed pressure to keep the airway open.
UPPP Surgical Treatment for
Sleep Apnea
Palate and Throat Surgery
Description: Uvulopalatopharyngoplasy, commonly called UPPP, is a surgical procedure to change the shape of back of the soft palate to increase the airway opening. Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy may also be indicated to change the shape of the throat and increase airway space.