The Efficient Less-Known Alternatives To CPAP Machines You Should Know

If you notice you have been experiencing irregular breathing while sleeping, or you wake up at intervals all through the night, it is possible that you are struggling with symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea. Meanwhile, it can be dangerous to assume. The best thing is to go visit your doctor for examinations and prescriptions. 

As much as Obstructive Sleepy Apnea (OSA) is the most common among other types, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) remains the commonly prescribed solution for the sleep disorder. Hence, if you have been diagnosed for OSA, it is most likely that your doctor have asked you to buy cpap machines. 

For the records, sleep apnea is in three types. However, Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) which makes people snore, choke, gasp, or snort while sleeping. These provoking body responses may hinder you from getting adequate sleep and makes you feel sleepy during the day.  Learn more about top pros and cons CPAP machine.

Of course, CPAP provides lasting solution for sleep apnea. It continuously supply pressurized air through an air-filtering hose into the mask that delivers it directly into your nostrils. It keeps your airways open allowing you to breathe easily when sleeping. 

Is CPAP machine the best solution for you? The right answer would come from your doctor. However, you can explore other alternatives to CPAP machine that can are efficient enough to solve sleep apnea. 

Why should you consider other options to CPAP machines?

Here are few reasons most people choose other alternatives to CPAP machines:

• Cost

CPAP machine is relatively costly. Its price ranges between $300 to $1000. In fact, some new models can cost more. If you get a CPAP machine on an insurance policy, you will have to enroll in a rent-to-own plan and that requires strict compliance requirements. Indeed, even if CPAP machine has been recommended for you, its high cost may force you to look the other round. 

• Strict compliance requirements

As mentioned earlier, if you are buying through insurance policy, insurers may require you to strictly adhere to a month compliance period which may involve using the device for 4 hours per night out of the 8 hours. You may not feel too comfortable with that arrangement as it may amount to invasion of privacy. 

• Side Effects

Though CPAP machines are efficient, they also come with some side effects which can make the use of the machine less enjoyable. A few of the side effects of CPAP machine may include red or itchy eyes, dry mouth, stuffy or runny nose, and loud noise that may disturb bed partners. In most cases, users may find these pitfalls unbearable and consider other options to solve the sleep apnea.

Having known some of the reasons that can make you consider other alternatives, now, let’s go and enumerate the alternatives in details.

Efficient Alternatives to CPAP Machines 

• Exercise and Weight Loss 

Obesity can be a reason why you are struggling with obstructive sleep apnea. That is one of the reasons it is important for you to first get a sleep apnea diagnosis at a medical centre before determining the adequate solution measure. If you doctor confirms that your Obstructive Sleep Apnea is as a result of obesity, you might not necessarily need a CPAP machine. Simple regular exercise, and weight loss routines can suffice. 

According to recent research, significant weight loss exercise can reduce obstructive sleep apnea even at a severe level. Another study on weight loss showed that a change in diet combined with a minimum of four hours of moderate exercise every week can give you a mouthwatering result in solving OSA. Instead of purchasing a CPAP machine, you can get help from an qualified obesity medicine specialist.

• Sleep position 

Most people don’t know that how they sleep matters. In actual fact, your sleeping position can be the reason for your sleep apnea. If you are the type that likes to sleep in a supine position (sleeping on your back facing the ceiling), can lead to severe obstructive sleep apnea. Once you have been diagnosed of this sleeping disorder, you need to stop sleeping on your back. Why? That sleeping position can cause your tongue to and larynx to obstruct your breathing. 

In a nutshell, if your healthcare provider says your sleep apnea result from wrong sleeping position, it is ideal to adjust how you sleep according to the prescription of your doctor. Instead of buying a CPAP machine, you can get a device that will alert you whenever you are on your back while sleeping. 

One major downside of this alternative is that you may experience difficulty wearing this device to bed and it may cause obstruction to your sleep. More so, the technology is not well updated at the moment.

• Avoid Alcohol

Excessive consumption of alcohol may worsen sleep apnea symptoms in your body. People who have been addicted to too much alcohol intake can have issues with breathing while sleeping. Ensuring your food and drinks contain little or no alcohol can go a long way in saving you from OSA. 

• Nasal Expiratory Positive Airway Pressure

Another alternative to CPAP machine is the Nasal Expiratory Positive Airway Pressure (nEPAP). This device is meant for one time use but it is pretty much effective. It provides a comforting positive pressure when you exhale and keep your airways open and free. Your doctor may prescribe this for you if your sleep apnea condition is still at the mild level.

• Surgery 

If you can’t bear the sensations and irritation that comes with fixing a mask to your face every night, you can consider surgery. there are a number of surgeries that can help[ reduce or eliminate apnea in adults. Though, reports don’t have much testimonies about their success rate but some of them are super effective. One good thing about surgeries is that, they remove ailments once and for all without the need for constant use of corrective devices. A few of the most practiced surgeries for sleep apnea include: maxillomandibular advancement (MMA), tracheostomy, and Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, 

Final Words

There are several tested and trusted alternatives to CPAP machines for treating sleep apnea. though CPAP machine is the most commonly recommended option, you can explore other options if you can’t cope with a few limitations associated with the device. Whichever option you would choose, make sure uit is a direct instruction from your doctor.