The FDA-approved treatment is effective in one out of three patients, Schnierow said. Provent requires a doctor’s prescription, costs approximately $2 per night and may be covered by insurance. The nostril micro-valves allow a patient to inhale normally, but only part of the air is exhaled. They cover the nostrils during the night and are discarded in the morning. Provent therapy: A new alternative to treating sleep apnea is a nonmechanical device that emulates CPAP but uses the pressure created by a person’s own breathing to maintain airflow.ĭeveloped by Ventus Medical Inc., Provent consists of two circular Band-Aid-type stickers, each with a miniature valve in the middle.It’s small, sleek, nearly silent and much more comfortable.”Ĭentral sleep apnea may respond to CPAP, but it usually requires bi-level positive airway pressure, or BPAP, which produces higher pressure during inhalation and lower pressure during exhalation. “Today’s CPAP is not your grandfather’s CPAP. “Back in the ’80s, a CPAP was nearly the size of a swimming pool pump and just about as noisy,” said Michael Farrell, president of San Diego-based ResMed, one of the largest makers of CPAPs. The CPAP has come a long way since it was invented 30 years ago. It also can be difficult to get medical insurance to pay for the mouthpiece, which can cost from $300 to $3,000. One potential complication from using an oral appliance, which is made by a dentist, is that it can permanently change the patient’s bite. Larry Ayers, director of the Sleep Disorders Clinic at Sharp Grossmont. “The results are not as good as with the CPAP (see below), but some patients like it better because it’s not as intrusive,” said Dr. It pushes the lower jaw forward to help hold the airway open. Oral appliance: A mouthpiece called a mandibular advancement device resembles a football mouth guard and is worn while sleeping.People are advised to avoid alcohol and sedatives, which can relax throat muscles and make snoring worse. Patients can also try to sleep on their side instead of their back because the base of the tongue and soft palate fall to the back wall of your throat when sleeping on your back. Extra weight can restrict throat tissue and cause snoring. Lifestyle changes: The initial treatment for mild sleep apnea is weight loss if you’re overweight.Although none of the approaches offers a permanent cure, they may help you get more restful sleep and reduce the risk of some serious health problems. Depending on the type and severity of your sleep apnea and your lifestyle, sleep specialists can offer several treatments.
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