Patients also need long-term follow up with an annual office visit to check equipment, titrate settings as needed, and to ensure ongoing mask and interface fit. Continuing patient education on the importance of regular use and support groups help patients obtain the maximum benefit of this therapy.
Your doctor can also discuss alternatives to CPAP if you are unable to use CPAP therapy, if it has not been effective for you, or if you simply want to explore your other options.
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Sleep apnea is a breathing disorder that causes repeated lapses in breathing during sleep. Symptoms can include snoring, headaches, and excessive sleepiness. Sleep apnea can be diagnosed using an at-home test.
OSA is a sleep disorder where your upper airway—nasal cavities, oral cavity, throat, and voice box—narrows and restricts your breathing, causing reduced airflow and lower blood oxygen levels.
Reducing alcohol and tobacco use may be helpful for lessening the symptoms of OSA. Drinking alcohol before bed can worsen OSA, promote snoring, and depress the central nervous system.
Like you, I also struggled at the beginning of my therapy, but I pushed through it, and I’m very happy with the results.
The University of Kansas Health System continues to be one of the top 5 hospitals in the nation that offers Inspire sleep apnea treatment. Our team collaborates with registered polysomnographic technologists who perform sophisticated sleep studies to help doctors provide the best care.
Nasal EPAP is an emerging treatment for OSA that uses the individual’s own breath to keep their airway open. This therapy utilizes disposable valves that are secured into or over the nostrils. When the sleeper exhales, the valves block airflow and create enough pressure to keep the airway open.
We do not personally test CPAP equipment, anti-snoring mouthguards, supplements, and other medical devices that require a doctor's prescription. Rather than using specific rating criteria, we rely on our team's extensive knowledge of sleep products and medical industry standards to pair each reader with the right devices.
Keep in mind that using your CPAP machine in conjunction with a mask that works well for you, is key. If you are finding your current mask uncomfortable, you may need to change your mask. Otherwise, I would encourage you to continue working with your doctor about the way you are feeling and any symptoms that arise.
Weight loss surgery isn’t for everyone, but it can be an effective solution. The American Thoracic Society recommends gastric bypass surgery in people with a body mass index (BMI)ⓘ Body mass index (BMI) measures body fat based on height and weight. of 35 or higher to improve OSA. A recent study showed bariatric surgery, which is a procedure removing the portion of your stomach producing the hormone ghrelin—which signals hunger to your brain—improved OSA and caused remission in 65% of patients. [10]Oweidat K, et al. Sleep and Breathing. May 5, 2023.
Overall with your AHI being below 3, it sounds like the therapy is working well for you. Also, keep in mind that it does take time for you to website get use to the changes that you are faced with from starting your CPAP therapy.