Surgery can also be performed to help people better tolerate CPAP therapy or an oral appliance by addressing physical features that interfere with these other treatments for OSA.

Some surgical interventions mean you’re symptom-free after the initial postoperative recovery, but CPAP treatment requires you to utilize your CPAP equipment right after diagnosis and to keep at it every night.

Physical activity has also been shown to improve symptoms of OSA, even among individuals who do not lose weight. If dietary changes and exercise are not effective in reducing symptoms, doctors may suggest bariatric surgery.

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People who lose weight and change their sleeping positions see better results than those who only lose weight. 

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Eric Goldstein says: June nove, 2019 at 2:08 pm I read these articles because I have a CPAP machine and feel worse good mornings after I manage to keep my machine on the recommended time. I felt compelled to reply to you because you come off extremely arrogant because you are an MD. My wife has had medical issues for over 14 years and I have dealt with specialists from neurosurgeons to anesthesiologist that specialize in pain management and every other specialists in between you can think of. There are so many of these so-called experts that I end up correcting and have saved my wife’s life on more than one occasion keeping a doctor from making a huge mistake because he didn’t take the time to read through her file or even website just her chart.

What device can I use instead of CPAP? You can try oral appliances worn while sleeping to help you breathe better. Some resemble a mouth guard worn during sports or are similar to an orthodontic retainer. Devices can be sold at pharmacies and em linha, while others may be custom-made by a dentist.

Myofunctional therapy, or therapy for facial and mouth muscles, may help reduce apnea events. This therapy includes exercises to strengthen the muscles in the tongue, soft palate, lips, and face. Correcting the position of the tongue can help prevent it from blocking the airway.

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Although both weight loss and CPAP treatment are considered effective ways of reducing OSA symptoms, research is conflicting.

Anyone who has been diagnosed with OSA and is unable to tolerate use a CPAP device, as well as individuals with mild OSA or snoring can benefit from lifestyle changes to reduce the risk of sleep apnea.

Some people see a significant improvement in their OSA symptoms when they stop sleeping on their backs. Though getting used to a new sleep position can be a challenge, several wearable devices are available that alert the user when they move onto their back. 

Each type of sleep product is tested using a unique set of performance criteria. We also assign ratings based on feedback from testers who fall into specific categories based on weight and sleep position (i.e. side sleepers who weigh 130 to 230 pounds).