Patient/caregiver were instructed regarding lifestyle measures for individuals with obstructive sleep apnea as follows:
- Breathing devices, such as, positive airway pressure machines, could be recommended to individuals with sleep apnea. Use of positive airway pressure machines, such as, CPAP and BiPAP during sleep time can help maintain airways patent and prevent episodes of sleep apnea from happening. Observe compliance with recommendations made for use of breathing devices, if any. Observe compliance with doctor visits, as scheduled. Do not forget to take your breathing device for the visit, as the chip reading could provide a lot of input regarding the management of sleep apnea.
- Positive airway pressure machines could be poorly tolerated by many individuals. In such instance, use of oral appliances could be recommended for individuals with sleep apnea. These oral appliances work variedly. Some oral appliances help reposition the lower jaw during sleep, thus preventing the lower jaw from blocking the airway. Some oral appliances help hold the tongue in a forward position, thus preventing the tongue from falling back during sleep, closing the airway, and contributing to precipitating an episode of sleep apnea. These oral appliances could be custom-fit and need the intervention of dentist to make one that appropriately fits one’s mouth. Individuals using oral appliances for sleep apnea management must periodically check with their dentist to ensure proper fit of the device or if it needs any adjustment or the appliance totally replaced.
- Individuals with sleep apnea could also choose to have a stimulation device surgically implanted in one’s body. Stimulation devices study the breathing pattern of the individual through the night and stimulate appropriate muscles that help keep airways patent, as needed. Stimulation devices are also available to help position the tongue and prevent the tongue from falling back during sleep. This results in maintaining the airway patent and contributes towards preventing an episode of sleep apnea. Individuals with implanted stimulation device for sleep apnea management & prevention must check periodically with the doctor regarding the functionality of the device, remaining battery life, and timely replacement of the battery.
