In all areas related to health, there is medical research. Sleep apnea is no exception. While the common belief is that the only possible treatment for sleep apnea is a CPAP machine, this isn't entirely true. Research and studies are being conducted all over the world to find alternative or combined therapies that could achieve results similar to CPAP treatment. We explore these different avenues in this post.
Positional therapy to treat sleep apnea
Some individuals with sleep apnea experience airway obstructions primarily when sleeping on their back. Positional therapy aims to keep the sleeper in a side-lying position during sleep. This helps reduce obstructions and improve breathing. For example, a positional belt is used to prevent the person from comfortably turning onto their back. By sleeping in a non-supine (side-lying) position, apneas and hypopneas are controlled, and sleep becomes restorative again.
Oral devices or prostheses for sleep apnea
Some dentists and researchers are working on developing personalized oral devices, such as mandibular advancement devices. These help keep the airways open during sleep. These devices are designed to move the lower jaw and tongue forward, thus reducing obstructions that cause sleep apnea.
Cognitive and behavioral therapies
Cognitive behavioral therapies can be used. They help people with sleep apnea adopt new behaviors and sleep habits that will be beneficial in addition to treatment. This may include sleep hygiene techniques or relaxation exercises.
Nerve stimulation: electrical shocks
An emerging treatment approach involves using nerve stimulation to treat sleep apnea. This can be achieved by stimulating the nerves of the tongue or respiratory muscles during sleep, in order to keep them active and prevent obstructions.
"Electrical stimulation of the hypoglossal nerve, which controls the tongue, is achieved using a neurostimulator, similar to a pacemaker, implanted under the clavicle. This is paired with a sensor, placed under the skin at the level of the fourth rib, which detects the respiratory rhythm. The stimulator produces a low-intensity electrical current that activates the hypoglossal nerve during inhalation, via an electrode implanted in the neck. The tongue is the largest muscle that can obstruct the upper airways. Electrical stimulation causes it to move forward, thus clearing the pharynx."
â Professor RaphaĂ«l Heinzer, head of the Sleep Investigation and Research Center at CHUV
Medications to treat sleep apnea?
Clinical trials are underway to evaluate the effectiveness of certain medications in treating sleep apnea. These medications can target different aspects of the disorder, such as reducing airway inflammation, improving muscle tone, or regulating sleep. That said, at present, no medication can cure sleep apnea, hence the importance of continuing this research.
Healthy lifestyle habits
We have long known that lifestyle habits impact sleep quality. It is also proven that certain risk factors are associated with sleep apnea, such as obesity and smoking. Research continues in this area to demonstrate that combining CPAP therapy with healthy lifestyle habits promotes more restorative sleep. Naturopathy can be used as a complementary therapy to CPAP therapy, as well as to several other treatments for various conditions. Furthermore, since 2023, La Boite Ă CPAP has offered naturopathic consultations and nutritional advice to help you improve your lifestyle habits.
Surgery for sleep apnea
In some cases where traditional treatments are ineffective, certain surgeries can help reduce or treat sleep apnea. These surgeries involve various parts of the body, such as the jaw, tonsils, uvula, palate, etc. Therefore, there are maxillofacial surgery clinics and ENT specialists who can perform these procedures. For example, tissue can be removed from the palate or the back of the throat to increase the volume of the airways. Others involve straightening the nasal septum to facilitate breathing and reduce snoring. More complex surgeries are also available for specific cases.
The future of sleep apnea treatment
It is important to note that some of these different research and treatment approaches are still in the research and development phase. They may not be widely available or clinically approved at this stage. However, these areas of research offer hope for new therapeutic options in the treatment of sleep apnea in the future.
Do you have questions about your treatment? Our respiratory therapists are available 24/7 to answer them. Contact us.
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