Sleep apnea can be crushing.

You may not even realize how much sleep deprivation is affecting your ability to complete daily activities and enjoy your life. Once you’re diagnosed, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is a highly effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnea and the gold standard medical treatment, but sticking with it can be challenging.

You may be struggling with:

  • Finding a mask that’s comfortable and doesn’t leak
  • Getting used to wearing your mask and keeping it on during the night
  • Claustrophobia
  • Dry, sore, or stuffy nose
  • Finding the right travel options
  • Noise
  • Managing your hoses and cords
  • Adjusting to sleeping with your partner while masked
  • Cleaning your equipment

There are many ways to troubleshoot these issues, but if you're finding that you still hate your CPAP machine, here are some options to consider to make sure that you’re getting the best night’s sleep possible.

Oral appliances and mouth guards

Mandibular advancement devices (MADs) are oral appliances that adjust the position of the lower jaw to widen your airway while you sleep. Some are custom printed or molded, while others are thermoplastic oral appliances like the myTAP that can be fit at home.

Positional therapy

Sleep apnea can be exacerbated by sleeping on your back, and sleep positioners are devices that prevent you through vibration or obstruction from assuming that position.

EPAP devices

Expiratory Positive Airway Pressure (EPAP) devices are valves that you place in your nostrils to create resistance as you exhale.

Surgical options

There are a number of surgical options to address obstructive sleep apnea. Hypoglossal nerve stimulators, like the one manufactured by Inspire Medical Systems, are implanted devices that can be used to open an obstructed airway. Hyoid suspension procedures like Airlift can also be used to stabilize the airway.

Finding the right option for you

There are many effective options out there. To help you decide how to move forward, reach out to the Helio team. Our providers will use your medical history and sleep apnea test results to determine the best option.