Sleep Apnea Treatment Southlake

Lifestyle changes alone cannot fully treat sleep apnea, but they can reduce symptom severity and work well alongside professional treatment. They may also help if you snore but don’t have sleep apnea.

• Change sleep position: Sleeping on your back increases airway collapse. Try sleeping on your side or using a wedge pillow to keep your torso elevated.
• Avoid alcohol before bed: Alcohol relaxes airway muscles. Avoid drinking within three hours of sleep to lower the risk of airway obstruction.
• Increase daily activity: Regular exercise strengthens airway-supporting muscles and can lessen snoring and sleep apnea severity.
• Support healthy weight: Extra fat around the throat or tongue increases airway collapse. Weight loss can help, though it often becomes easier once sleep apnea is treated and your metabolism stabilizes.

When you’re diagnosed with sleep apnea, your doctor will likely recommend CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure). This system uses an air pump and mask to deliver pressurized air that keeps your airway open and ensures steady breathing throughout the night.

CPAP is the most commonly prescribed treatment because it offers many proven benefits, including:

• Can treat obstructive and central sleep apnea – CPAP delivers continuous airflow that keeps the airway open and provides oxygen even when the brain briefly stops signaling you to breathe.
• Can treat severe obstructive sleep apnea – Increasing CPAP pressure (and adding supplemental oxygen when needed) allows it to manage even the most advanced cases.
• Almost 100% effective when used correctly – The steady pressure from the CPAP pump opens your airway and supplies fresh air, making it one of the most reliable treatments available.

Although CPAP is nearly 100% effective when used correctly, fewer than half of patients use it enough to properly treat their sleep apnea. Minimum compliance requires at least four hours per night on 40% of nights, yet many people struggle to meet this because CPAP can be:

• Uncomfortable
• Inconvenient
• Bulky
• Noisy
• Expensive

Masks and straps can irritate the skin, the forced air may feel stifling, and the equipment requires frequent cleaning and maintenance. The machine can also be noisy and take up space, while ongoing replacement parts add to the cost.

If you’re unable to tolerate CPAP—or prefer not to deal with these challenges—you may want to consider a CPAP alternative.

Oral appliance therapy is a proven CPAP alternative that works by gently repositioning your jaw to keep your airway open. These custom-made, prescription appliances are designed for your exact bite and airway—not to be confused with over-the-counter devices. For many patients, oral appliances are just as effective as CPAP.

Consider oral appliance therapy if you have:

• Severe sleep apnea but aren’t getting good results with CPAP
• Mild to moderate sleep apnea
• Obstructive sleep apnea (not effective for central sleep apnea)

Insurance typically covers oral appliance therapy for mild to moderate sleep apnea. For severe cases, CPAP is usually recommended first, but an oral appliance may be the best option if CPAP is not tolerated.

Understanding your treatment options is an important step in managing sleep apnea. From CPAP therapy to custom oral appliances, each solution offers unique benefits depending on the severity and type of sleep apnea. Exploring these options can help you find a long-term approach that supports healthy breathing and restorative sleep.