Treatment of Sleep Disorders
Treatment of Sleep Disorders
Once a test has been performed to determine the type of sleep disorder, clinicians determine the appropriate treatment plan for the individual. Some sleep disorders can be treated with behavioral changes such as losing weight; developing better sleep habits; and avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and sleep medications. If you are unsure that you suffer from a sleep disorder, a sleep quiz may help you decide if you need to seek treatment.
For mild sleep disorders, oral appliances can be used to keep the airway open by holding the tongue or jaw forward, increasing the airway space behind the tongue.
Moderate to severe sleep apnea is usually treated with a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure). During this treatment, a patient wears a mask over the nose during sleep, and positive air pressure is forced through the airway and/or nasal passages.
Severe sleep apnea may require surgery. Usually a surgeon will suggest the patient be on CPAP for at least a month before pursuing surgery. The most common surgical procedures to treat sleep apnea include removal of adenoids and tonsils, nasal polyps or other growths, or other tissue in the airway and correction of structural deformities.
Back to Sleep Center Home Page