The doctor will start by assessing the patient and having them use a device at home that will measure the severity of their sleep apnea. The device monitors the patient’s oxygen levels, heart rate, and amount of snoring. After examining the results, the doctor will recommend any of several possible treatments.
What Are Some of the Treatments?
Sleep apnea treatment in north Vancouver takes an integrated approach. It will include medical treatments like oral appliances, CPAP machines, and laser therapy. It will also often include complementary therapies like nutritional counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy, and positional therapy.
What is Positional Therapy?
Some patients find that their symptoms are most severe if they sleep on their back. Conversely, they breathe normally if they sleep on their side. In positional therapy, the patient will wear a device that keeps them sleeping on their side. Positional therapy is typically used along with another treatment.
What Is CPAP?
CPAP stands for “Continuous Positive Airway Pressure,” and it is a machine that constantly and gently blows air down the patient’s airway to keep it open. It is considered the gold standard treatment for sleep apnea, for it works quickly and does not cause side effects. CPAP is also non-invasive, and the machine is easy to ease. The patient puts a mask on over their nose and mouth and then turns the machine on. They will use CPAP every night while in bed.
Contact CanSleep Services Inc. or visit cansleep.ca to learn more about sleep apnea treatment in north Vancouver.
