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Sleep Apnea—Treatments for Moderate to Severe Cases

By Darien Simon, M.S.

One of the treatments that may be suggested for moderate to severe cases of the sleep disorder obstructive sleep apnea is Continual Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP). CPAP involves the use of an air mask worn over the nose during sleep. The mask blows air into the throat at a prescribed pressure which varies from person to person, and is calculated to keep the windpipe from shrinking or collapsing causing a blockage of the air flow during sleep. While CPAP works for many people with obstructive sleep apnea, it does have some side effects such as dryness or stuffiness in the nose, some irritation of the facial skin where the mask rests, soreness in the eyes, bloating in the stomach, and headaches. Usually, adjustments to the mask or the air flow pressure, or the addition of moisture to the air can help minimize or prevent these side effects. Because it must be carefully calibrated to meet each sleeper’s specific air flow needs, CPAP treatment requires the help of someone with the technical skill to set it up and see the pressure is properly maintained, and monitoring by a health care provider. If the CPAP treatment, weight loss, or lifestyle and sleep habit changes don’t work to relieve the obstructive sleep apnea cycle, surgery may be indicated. Tonsils, adenoids, and other possible obstructions to breathing can be removed. However, removal may not be effective in treating obstructive sleep apnea, and should only be used if other treatments fail. Surgical removal of tonsils and adenoids has been quite successful in relieving snoring and other obstructive sleep apnea symptoms in children, but like all invasive medical procedures, this surgery should be thoroughly discussed with a health care provider. Currently, there are no medications recognized as effective for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. However, if you have obstructive sleep apnea, you may want to discuss with your health care provider the possiblity of trying Dream Boost to enhance your ability to sleep.