How Long Does Sleep Apnea Treatment Take to Work?
Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep. It is caused by physical blockage of the airway that causes a cessation of breathing. The disorder prevents you from resting well and affects your health and productivity. So, if you snore and gasp for breath severally in your sleep, you need sleep apnea treatment in Providence, RI.
People suffering from sleep apnea face several problems, including severe medical conditions. Therefore, they want to see fast results to live whole, healthy lives when they go for treatment. Consequently, they often ask the sleep apnea dentist in Providence, RI how long the treatments take to work. Continue reading to learn the answer to this common question.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatments and How Long They Take To Work
Based on the diagnosis, there are various sleep apnea treatments in Providence, RI. These treatments depend on whether the condition is mild, moderate, or severe. Therefore, they do not produce results at the same rate. Below are some common treatments and the duration before seeing results.
- Positive Airway Pressure
The treatment involves using devices worn over the nose or mouth. They force air into opening the airways gently. These devices prevent the upper airway muscles from collapsing during sleep. The positive airway pressure devices must be worn each night to prevent the apnea episodes from returning. A commonly used device is the continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).
The machine delivers continuous air pressure to your airways while you sleep, keeping the upper airway passages open. It trains your muscles to keep the jaw in a maximum airflow position. The CPAP machine is adjusted to the optimal place to treat your condition over many months.
Compliance with this treatment will determine how fast you get the results. Therefore, you must wear your CPAP device every night when you go to bed. It will open the airway up to prevent disruptions in breathing from the very first night. As a result, you will sleep better and wake up better rested. However, it will take months before you get complete relief.
Continued use eliminates excessive daytime sleepiness, fatigue, and lack of concentration. Your high blood pressure and morning headaches will also decrease. You will have follow-up appointments with the sleep apnea dentist. The expert will check your score on the apnea-hypopnea index to determine if the treatment is working. Then, necessary adjustments are made to the device until the problem is resolved.
- Surgery
Surgery is performed when obstructive sleep apnea does not respond to conservative measures. It involves removing or repositioning the tissues that cause the throat to be abnormally narrow. The specialist may perform UPPP surgery to adjust or remove the soft palate and uvula.
Surgeries to open the nasal passage and increase airflow may also be done. They include turbinate reduction and septoplasty. Your tongue can also be repositioned and made firmer. This prevents the collapse of the airway through surgery. You will notice the results of these treatments immediately since the tissues no longer block the airway.
- Weight Loss
Some overweight people have excess tissue in the back of their throats that cause obstructive sleep apnea. The dentist in Providence, RI may recommend weight loss to reduce the symptoms of their condition. Their dentist will refer them to a specialist to undergo a weight management program. It involves exercise, dietary changes, and in some cases, bariatric surgery.
Once you lose weight, the fat around the neck and throat that restrict airflow during sleep drastically reduces. Therefore, your condition will improve as you continue to lose weight. The specialist will perform sleep tests during the treatment to check your progress.
- Positional Sleep Apnea Treatment
Some people have mild obstructive sleep apnea impacted by their sleeping positions. The specialist will diagnose your sleep apnea first. Then, if positional based, they will recommend changing the situation.
They will recommend the supine position to enable you to breathe correctly without blocking your airway. You will notice immediate results with this treatment. However, when you lie on your sides or back, the condition will interrupt your sleep once again.
Contact us at Drs. Rubinstein and Ducoff for sleep apnea treatment in Providence, RI. Our specialists will diagnose your obstructive sleep apnea and provide suitable therapies. In addition, we will help you have a better, more fulfilled life.