When CPAP Is Not Effective
Obstructive sleep apnea is a common problem and anyone who lives with it understands how serious it can be. If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea and have looked for the most effective treatment, you may have learned about a CPAP machine. CPAP — or continuous positive airway pressure therapy — can often help individuals with managing sleep apnea, but sometimes it simply does not work. What to do if and when CPAP is not effective? Keep reading for information on CPAP machines and alternatives that can help sleep apnea patients.
What are CPAP machines used for?
These machines are used for patients that struggle with obstructive sleep apnea. The machine has either a full or partial mask that is connected to tubing. This tubing is attached to a machine that is running that forces pressurized air into the patient’s lungs while they sleep.
While CPAP can be effective for some patients, a high percentage of patients use these pressure machines only for the short term and eventually give up using them.
Patients often report that the machines are frustrating to use because they:
- Require a sleep study
- Restrict sleep movement
- The CPAP mask and tubing are uncomfortable and difficult to get used to, affecting sleep habits
- They are bulky and difficult to clean
- Make falling asleep more difficult
- They develop air leaks.
Thankfully, there are other options out there that can help! Dental sleep medicine is a modern and effective approach to treating sleep apnea for patients of all kinds. This involves using oral appliances that are like mouthguards.
Sleep Appliance
They are only used when sleeping and they do not require any other attachments like masks or tubing. They are custom-fitted to the patient for comfort and convenience and work by keeping the mouth in a position that keeps the upper airway passages open.
Dental Sleep Medicine of Vancouver understands that a good night of sleep is important for living a full, healthy life. We specialize in helping patients with individualized oral appliance therapies that do not use traditional sleep apnea machines. So if you’re feeling sleep-disordered, come in for an appointment sooner rather than later.
If you’ve been experiencing excessive daytime sleepiness, you may not be getting the rest your body and brain need to properly function over the long term. Fortunately, board-certified sleep doctors have devised effective treatment options or CPAP alternatives for when CPAP is not effective.
Contact us today to find out if you can benefit from these or to learn more about what options are available!
