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� Home� About ASC� Meet the Staff� Testimonials� Locations� Services� Sleep Disorders� In-Lab Sleep Studies� Home Sleep Testing� Pediatrics� CPAP Therapy� Follow-up/SleepN� For Patients� Self Referral Form� Forms & Packets� Education Center� Order CPAP Supplies� For Providers� Referral Forms� Marketing Materials� Contact Us� Contact ASC� Job Opportunities� Order CPAP Supplies� Order Transcend CPAP� Pediatric Assessment An estimated 20 million American adults are believed to have obstructive sleep apnea, with the majority of those cases going undiagnosed.

Sleep apnea used to be merely considered an annoyance by many, but in recent decades with more information on the dangers of untreated sleep apnea, more and more people have begun seeking treatment for their chronic sleep disorders.Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy has been the longstanding, clinically proven treatment option for sleep apnea.

The non-invasive treatment allows a constant flow of pressurized air to keep the throat muscles and air passages from collapsing during sleep and thus preventing snoring and eliminating nightly apnea events.Unfortunately, CPAP use is a therapy and not a cure.

In order to get the most out of treatment, patients have to use their CPAP machines on a nightly basis to keep their symptoms from recurring. But what can you do when the therapy you're prescribed is simply intolerable? One study estimated that 30-50 percent of CPAP users don't like their treatment and another survey discovered that about half of CPAP patients stopped using their device within 1-3 weeks of use with discomfort from the masks or airflow being the major reason for non-compliance with treatment.There are too many dangers associated with untreated sleep apnea for sufferers to give up on their therapy simply because they find CPAP treatment unbearable.

That's why we here at The Alaska Sleep Clinic want to inform you of some of the alternative treatments to CPAP therapy.�ASC's SleepN Program- Before you ditch your CPAP machine entirely in search of substitute treatments, ask yourself, "Have I really given CPAP a fair try?" Many CPAP users never fully explore their options with their CPAP devices before burying them in the closet, never to be used again.

For this reason, The Alaska Sleep Clinic developed the SleepN Program, a support system in which our technicians help you get the most out of your treatment by offering you free mask trials to find your perfect fit; assigning you only the newest, quietest machines; remotely monitoring and calibrating your equipment from our office; informing�you of�automatic updates on when you need new equipment or replacement parts; and even hosting quarterly meetings to keep you informed on the latest sleep related�information and CPAP technology.�Automatic positive airway pressure (APAP) therapy- A frequent complaint from CPAP users stem from the constant, single-setting air pressure from CPAP machines.

Many find the single-setting to be a nuisance as it doesn't always give them the air pressure they need at a given time. APAP therapy deals with this problem by establishing a low range pressure number and a high range pressure number that automatically adjusts as you sleep to give you the ideal pressure at any given moment. Using an algorithm that senses subtle changes in your breathing, an APAP machine can detect such things as spikes in apnea events to raise air pressure, or sense when you roll on your side when a decreased pressure is better suited.�Bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) therapy- Another common complaint about CPAP use is that some users find it difficult, or uncomfortable, to exhale against the constant pressure of a CPAP machine.

BiPAP machines solve this problem in that they adjust the pressure of air being delivered depending on whether the patient is inhaling or exhaling. During inhalation, an electronic sensor tells the BiPAP to send more air through the mask to clear obstructions. During exhalation the air pressure is reduced so patients don't feel any pressure resistance to their breathing. BiPAP is best for patients who have high pressure needs or low oxygen levels.�CPAP with C-Flex- C-Flex is similar to BiPAP therapy in that it offers pressure relief as the patient exhales so that they don't feel like they're fighting against the incoming�airflow during expiration.

However, C-Flex is more of a comfort feature for CPAP machines that only offers pressure relief up to 3 cm, whereas BiPAP pressure relief starts at 4 cm and goes up. For those who need only a little pressure relief, a CPAP with C-Flex might be the right choice.�Oral/Dental Devices- For sufferers of sleep apnea with a�mild to low-moderate diagnosis, oral devices such as mandibular advancement devices (MADs) and tongue retaining mouthpieces may be more comfortable solutions.�Mandibular advancement devices-MADs look similar to sports mouthguards and push the lower jaw down slightly to pull the tongue forward andLouise Lyon has been a writer since 1989.

Her work has appeared in "Family Doctor," "AARP Bulletin," "Focus on Healthy Aging" and other national publications covering health and science. She holds a Master of Science degree from the Columbia University School of Journalism.

A man is using a CPAP machine. Photo Credit utah778/iStock/Getty Images OverviewContinuous positive airway pressure or CPAP is a common treatment for sleep apnea, a sleep disorder in which breathing is interrupted during sleep. CPAP works by providing a steady stream of pressurized air that props open the airways and allowing you to breathe smoothly while sleeping.

It is a safe treatment but it can cause annoying side effects like skin irritation, a runny or stuffy nose or dry mouth. If CPAP is too uncomfortable, there are other options. Other Ventilation OptionsBi-level positive airway pressure machines deliver highly pressurized air when you inhales and then decrease the pressure when your exhale. This boosts the weakened breathing pattern of some sleep apnea patients. Adaptive servo-ventilation, or ASV, works by monitoring your normal breathing pattern during sleep and then using pressurized air to regulate your breathing.

Some people also have success with an oxygen mask worn during sleep. DrugsPeople whose sleep apnea is due to problems with the muscles that control breathing, as opposed to an airway obstruction, can benefit from medications that stimulate breathing.

These include acetazolamide, which is sometimes used to prevent sleep apnea in high altitude conditions. Sometimes nasal sprays or allergy medications can help by keeping the airways open at night to ease breathing. Breathing Exercises for Sleep Apnea Dental DevicesOral appliances can prop open the airways to prevent sleep apnea.

These devices work by pushing the jaw forward to keep the airway open or by preventing the tongue from falling back over the airway. These devices are more likely to work for those with mild sleep apnea who are not obese.

They need to be fitted by a dentist or orthodontist.� SurgeryWhen all else fails, surgery can open the airway to prevent obstructions from occurring. There are different techniques depending on the cause of the problem. In children with sleep apnea, removing the tonsils can help. For adults there are procedures that shrink excess tissue in the mouth or throat, either by injecting it with chemicals or by cutting it away.

Lifestyle ChangesSome sleep apnea is caused by obesity because fat around the neck narrows the airways. Weight loss can reduce or even eliminate the symptoms of sleep apnea for these people. Alcohol and certain drugs like painkillers, sedatives and muscle relaxants can worsen sleep apnea because they affect the muscles that control breathing.

Avoiding alcohol and drugs that affect sleep apnea can reduce symptoms. Smoking also aggravates sleep apnea so people should quit to reduce their symptoms. Sleeping on your side instead of your back, perhaps with the help of special cushions or devices, can help keep airways open. GOAL� Gain 2 pounds per week� Gain 1.5 pounds per week� Gain 1 pound per week� Gain 0.5 pound per week� Maintain my current weight� Lose 0.5 pound per week� Lose 1 pound per week� Lose 1.5 pounds per week� Lose 2 pounds per week � Causes, Risk Factors and Prevention of Sleep �� Signs and Cpap breathing machine alternatives of Sleep Apnea� Alternative Medicine for Sleep Apnea� What is Sleep Apnea?References�Sleep: The Treatment of Central Sleep Apnea Syndromes in Adults: Practice Parameters with an Evidence-Based Literature Review and Meta-Analyses�Canadian Family Physician: Approach to Outpatient Management of Adult Sleep Apnea�Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine: Treatment of Central Sleep Apnea in US Veterans OFFICIAL PARTNER OF THE LIVE STRONG FOUNDATION� CANCER SUPPORT� SHOP� TEAM LIVESTRONG� DONATECopyright � 2016 Demand Media, Inc.Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the LIVESTRONG.COM Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.The material appearing on LIVESTRONG.COM is for educational use only.

It should not beused as a substitute for professional medical advice,diagnosis or treatment. LIVESTRONG is a registered trademark of the LIVESTRONG Foundation.The LIVESTRONG Foundation and LIVESTRONG.COM do not endorseany of the products or services that are advertised on the web site.Moreover, we do not select every advertiser or advertisement that appears on the web site-many of theadvertisements are served by third party advertising companies.Ad Choices � About Provent� Overview� OSA Facts & Treatment� Better Sleep for You & Your Partner� Frequently Asked Questions� National Suppliers� Local Suppliers� Local Prescribers� International Suppliers� Provent in the News� Using Provent� Overview� Provent Starter Kit� How to Apply Provent� Tips for Success� Patient Success Stories� Healthcare Professionals� Overview� How EPAP Works� Clinical Information & Resources� Patient Selection� Prescribing Information� Questions?

Call 1-888-757-9355�Contact the Provent Care Team at 1-888-SLP-WELL (1-888-757-9355) and we'll be happy to help What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea 1?Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is characterized by pauses in breathing or shallow breaths during sleep. OSA is a chronic condition, which means it does not resolve spontaneously, and is rarely cured.When people with OSA fall asleep, they can stop breathing for a few seconds to a minute.

These interruptions happen throughout the night, at least five times an hour. Afterward, normal breathing starts again, sometimes with a loud snort or choking sound.When breathing pauses or becomes shallow, the OSA sufferer usually moves out of deep sleep into light sleep-or has a brief awakening-which they may not remember. As a result of these disruptions, sleep quality is worsened, causing tiredness during the day. In fact, obstructive sleep apnea is one of the leading causes of daytime sleepiness.

Obstructive sleep apnea ranges in severity, and can be mild, moderate, or severe. Symptoms and Signs of Obstructive Sleep Apnea 2Loud frequent snoring, increased age and obesity with increased neck size are the three best predictors of having OSA. Symptoms may include one or more of the following:� Sleepiness during the day� Morning headaches� Memory, learning, or concentration problems� Irritability, depression, mood swings, or personality changes� Needing to urinate at night� Waking up with a dry throat Not all people who show these symptoms have OSA.

If you experience these symptoms, tell your doctor, who will review your history, and possibly perform non-invasive tests to make a diagnosis. And while there is no cure for obstructive sleep apnea, there is treatment that can help reduce snoring, and help you get better sleep. What Causes Obstructive Sleep Apnea 2?People with OSA tend to have a narrower or more collapsible airway than normal, often at the base of the tongue and soft palate.

During sleep, the normal relaxation of muscles in the throat can cause the tongue and palate to fall backwards, further closing the already narrowed airway.

Obstructive sleep apnea can be caused (or made worse) by:� Obesity: Extra fat tissue in the neck can narrow the airway, which makes it harder to keep open� Large tongue and tonsils: These can obstruct the airway, making it harder for air to pass through� Getting older: For reasons not fully understood, sleep apnea tends to increase with age� Head and neck shape: Some people have a naturally small airway opening in the mouth and throat due to the structure of their bones Health Risks of Obstructive Sleep Apnea 2Left untreated, obstructive sleep apnea can trigger the release of stress hormones, change how your body uses energy, and, of course, make you feel tired and sleepy during the day.

But even if you don't have daytime sleepiness, obstructive sleep apnea still puts you at higher risk for:� High blood pressure� Heart attack, heart failure� Stroke� Irregular heartbeats� Diabetes� Obesity� Driving or work-related accidents Treatments Are Available for Obstructive Sleep ApneaIn addition to lifestyle changes and surgery, CPAP therapy has been an accepted treatment for OSA.

A CPAP machine is a blower that connects by a tube to a mask that fits over your mouth or nose, blowing air so that a continuous pressure in the airway is maintained.

This constant pressure keeps the airway from collapsing, allowing normal breathing.If you experience difficulty using a CPAP machine or don't like to travel with your CPAP equipment, Provent Sleep Apnea Therapy is an alternative to CPAP that requires no mask, no machine, and no electricity.

Provent Sleep Apnea Therapy is small, discreet, and easy to use. It is clinically proven to treat obstructive sleep apnea by using the power of your own breathing to stabilize your airway. Ask your doctor about using Provent Sleep Apnea Therapy when you travel, or if a CPAP machine isn't right for you.1: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (definition of "chronic disease") https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/ https://www.cdc.gov/sleep/about_sleep/key_disorders.html2: National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (Signs/Symptoms, Diagnosis, Causes, Treatments - i.e.

CPAP) https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/sleepapnea/signs https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/sleepapnea/diagnosis https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/sleepapnea/causes https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/sleepapnea/treatment We use cookies and browser capability checks to help us deliver our online services, including to learn if you enabled Flash for video or ad blocking.

By using our website or by closing this message box, you agree to our use of browser capability checks, and to our use of cookies as described in our Cookie Policy. Do not show again Sleep apnea patients may soon have several new treatments to choose from. Not one involves an annoying face mask.The major therapy for sleep cpap breathing machine alternatives, a condition in which people stop breathing during sleep, is CPAP, or continuous positive airway pressure.

With CPAP, patients breathe in pressurized air through a face mask attached to a hose and bedside pump. While it has proved remarkably effective, anywhere from 30% to more than half. Most Popular Articles� Opinion: Sizing Up the Next Commander-in-Chief� Get Your Children Good and Dirty� �Intentional� Explosion in Chelsea Neighborhood of New York Injures Dozens� Opinion: Travel Back to an Early Clinton Scandal� What Teens Need Most From Their Parents �WSJ Membership � WSJ+ Membership Benefits� Digital Subscription� Print Subscription� Print and Digital Subscription� Why Subscribe?� Download WSJ Apps for iOS and Android� Corporate Subscriptions� Professor Journal� Student Journal�Customer Service � Customer Center� Live Help� Redesign Guided Tour� Notice to Subscribers�Tools & Features � Emails & Alerts� Guides� My News� Portfolio� RSS Feeds� Topics� Video Center� Watchlist�Ads � Advertise� Advertise Locally� Commercial Real Estate Ads� Place a Classified Ad� Sell Your Business� Sell Your Home� Recruitment & Career Ads�More � Content Partnerships� Corrections� Jobs at WSJ� News Archive� Register for Free� Reprints� Facebook� Twitter� Google+� YouTube� Podcasts� GooglePlay� AppStore� Windows10 � Dow Jones Products� Barron's� BigCharts� DJX� Dow Jones Newswires� Factiva� Financial News� Mansion Global� MarketWatch� Private Markets� realtor.com� Risk & Compliance� WSJ Classifieds� WSJ Conference� WSJ Video� WSJ Wine There are several treatment options and CPAP alternative for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Although CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) is the most popular treatment for sleep apnea, there are other therapies available.

In this section we will discuss some of the most popular CPAP alternatives.Before we begin, let�s review CPAP.CPAP � the most popular treatment for OSA. It simply works by pushing air into the back of the throat acting as a splint to keep the airway open. CPAP is very safe. It generally works from the first night of treatment. One of the most common problems with CPAP is discomfort or difficulty tolerating the mask and the air pressure.

Although many of the new PAP machines incorporate technologies with the goal of improving therapy compliance, many OSA patients continue to have difficulty with this treatment option F&P CPAP MaskBiPAP � BiPAP, or BiLevel PAP therapy works in a similar manner as CPAP. However, instead of one single pressure, BiLevel uses two pressures � an inhale pressure and a lower exhale pressure. BiPAP/BiLevel PAP is often used for those that have sleep apnea and lung issues, like COPD.

Historically, it was also used for sleep apnea patients that had difficulty tolerating CPAP.Weight Loss � Weight loss can be a very effective treatment option for overweight and obese patients. There is a strong correlation between weight and sleep apnea. Diet and exercise work for many. However, weight loss with traditional methods takes a long time and has a high failure rate. Bariatric surgery is an option for obese patients who are unable to lose weight through traditional approaches.

Bariatric surgery, like all surgeries, has a risk for complications, is associated with post-operative pain, and is not guaranteed to yield weight loss.Sleep apnea oral appliance � also called mandibular advancing devices, these Variety or sleep apnea oral mouth guards devicesresemble sports mouth guards. They are specially adjusted by sleep apnea dentists. These dental devices work by moving the lower jaw forward which opens the airway wider during sleep.

Many of these devices are adjustable. They are often made of plastic or silicone. Many are hinged, meaning that you can open your mouth with the device still in place. Sleep apnea oral appliances (OA�s) can cause tooth shifting and temporal manidibular joint (TMJ) pain.Oral surgeryFor adults, there are multiple surgical procedures that can be performed, and the choice among them can be based on the structures that are causing sleep apnea by blocking breathing during sleep.

Procedures can be grouped into those directed at the soft palate or other parts of the breathing passages, such as the tongue. Soft Palate procedures for sleep apnea are more common and include uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) as well as newer procedures such as expansion sphincter pharyngoplasty or lateral pharyngoplasty that have proven better than traditional UPPP in some studies.Hypopharyngeal procedures, including tongue radiofrequency, genioglossus advancement, hyoid suspension and partial glossectomy, can be performed alone or in combination with soft palate procedures.

Jaw advancement surgery (called maxillomandibular advancement or bimaxillary advancement) is another option. In children, surgery (usually tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy) is a first-line option for obstructive sleep apnea, whereas surgery is typically a second-line therapy in adults.Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation � This is a newer therapy that involves stimulation of the nerve that controls tongue movement (hypoglossal nerve).

A system is placed inside the body during a surgical procedure. When the system is turned on during sleep, stimulation of the hypoglossal nerve moves the tongue forward to open the space for breathing in the throat.�Snoring Mouth PicturePillar Procedure � This outpatient surgical procedure uses inserted coffee-straw-like pieces inserted into the roof of the mouth.

The result is a stiffening of this area which reduces collapse of the airway.Positional therapy � sleep apnea is often worse when sleeping in the supine, or back, position.

There are a few simple, as well as complex, devices that aim to prevent these people from sleeping on their back.EPAP Valve � Expiratory Positive Airway Pressure devices work by creating resistance on exhale of breath.

Current devices are adhesive and stick to the nostrils like a bandage.Oral Pressure Therapy(OPT) is a treatment for obstructive sleep apnea that uses vacuum pressure to suction the soft palate towards the middle of the mouth with the objective of widening the nasal airway reducing or eliminating airway obstruction.Choosing an alternative to CPAP should be done in conjunction with your physician.

Sleep apnea can be a potentially deadly sleep disorder. It is imperative that the treatment that you and your physician choose is ideal for you. Every person has unique issues.

The severity of sleep apnea must be evaluated in the context of thYou read that right. Airing has invented a micro CPAP device that has no hoses, no cords, and no masks.

And we did it for one reason: too many sleep apnea patients�don�t wear their CPAP masks at night.�And who can blame them with those awful masks, cords, and hoses? Airing is the result of an incredibly happy accident. Airing inventor, Stephen Marsh, was working on an entirely different invention at the time. And, as any creative inventor tends to do, Marsh began thinking about other applications for these micro-blowers.Here is how Marsh recalls the birth of Airing: "As I started to look at how others approached the micro fluidic pumps in the MEMS (micro electro mechanical systems) world, I saw a lot of limitations and inefficiencies in their designs.

Because I am always facing volumetric and gravimetric challenges in the PowerChip world, I was able to come up with some real innovations in the design of a new micro fluidic pump.Once I had designed these micro pumps, I realized that they could and should be built using the �roll-to-roll� (R2R) manufacturing process. I validated this with Kodak who is probably the most knowledgeable manufacturing company in the R2R space since they developed much of the science and art behind it.

Using Kodak�s five foot wide machine running at 83 feet per second, it can make three million micro pumps each minute! WOW!! This makes them so low cost, they can be disposable.My brother suffers from sleep apnea, and is what is known as "non-compliant" (he won�t wear the traditional sleep mask).

In thinking of his situation, I realized that the pumping capability of my new design could just as easily be used to pump air into a small device that could fit in your nose.

If the device could blow the right amount of air at the right pressure, it could revolutionize the treatment of sleep apnea. I checked the specifications of the standard CPAP machines and concluded that these new "micro-blowers" could provide the same effect but in a portable and disposable form.I then discussed the concept with medical experts, who were uniformly enthusiastic about the potential of the micro blowers approach to treating breathing disorders.

Based on this apparent feasibility and the desperate need for an alternative to the traditional CPAP masks, we formed Airing to develop the next generation CPAP breathing device." It's a story of liberation.Airing can fit into a patient's nose, which means no cords, hoses, or masks. Which also means a sleep apnea patient can finally sleep. Hoses won't get caught on the side table knocking things over. Cords won't get caught in the covers tugging on the big traditional strapped masks and loosening the seal.

Wearing the Airing device means you can toss and turn all you want, all the while maintaining a perfect seal.But the real liberation happens when you wake up.

You won't be tired. You will have more energy. You will have better memory. You will get more done. In short, you will be more of who you are. All because Airing has finally made it so easy to comply.But the liberation goes beyond OSA patients. Airing means no more snoring, and no more snoring means your partner is liberated as well. Two for the price of one.Sleep apnea patients unite!It's time to make compliance easy.

We need your help to get Airing off the drawing board and into the hands of sleep apnea patients everywhere.First, we are raising money through Indiegogo launching in June, 2015. And between now and then we will be posting updates on this blog, on our Facebook Page, and on our Twitter Page. So we invite you to subscribe to any and all of those channels.Second, please invite others whose lives could change for the better with Airing.

Think of it as liberating your friends.But most importantly, of course, we invite you to contribute to the cause on June, 2015, on Indiegogo (link to be posted when we launch). Whatever you can afford. Together we can help everyone who needs one finally get a good night's sleep.Thanks in advance. The Airing fundraising campaign is now InDemand on Indiegogo. Click to contribute today! Liberate your friends and familyWe launched in June, 2015, a campaign on Indiegogo to generate enough money to make Airing happen.

While the campaign has been very successful, we could still use your help. Whether it � s for you or for someone you care about, contribute to the Airing cause today by clicking here. In the meantime, send a link to this site to everyone you know, post it on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, anywhere your friends are. Invite people to get behind this important technological marvel that is just too revolutionary to not exist.

Thank you, and sleep well! How Can Physicians and Dentists Use HST to Work Together?As increasing numbers of dental sleep medicine practitioners employ home sleep testing devices with obstructive sleep apnea patients, a sleep�� � Clinical� Best Practices� Case Reports� Clinical Trials� Market Trends� Perspectives� Policy� Business� Financial Management� Marketing & Promotion� Reimbursement� Staffing� Industry News� Industry News� Product News� Regulatory News� Research News� Continuing Education� Continuing Education � Free� Continuing Education � Online� Curated Content� Products � CPAP� Dental Devices� Electrodes� Home Sleep Testing� Information Technology� Monitors� New Product Technology� Pharmaceuticals� Polysomnography� Sensors� Services� Buyer�s Guide� Resources CPAP is the gold standard for obstructive sleep apnea, but what about patients who can�t�or won�t�tolerate it or who need an additional therapy?

We profile the spectrum of FDA-approved therapies, including when to try them, considerations for each, and new developments.By Sree Roy DEVICES Oral AppliancesInformation source: Dr Kathleen Bennett, president, American Academy of Dental MedicineHow it works: Oral appliance therapy (OAT) helps prevent the collapse of the tongue and soft tissues in the back of the throat by supporting the jaw in a forward position, keeping the airway open during sleep.When to try it:�alternative therapy for mild to moderate OSA; after CPAP refusal or failure for all OSA severities; in conjunction with CPAP (may lower CPAP pressure)Appropriate AHI:�Up to 30.

For severe OSA patients, only after initial trial of CPAP, oral appliances have been shown to be 50% effective.Other considerations: Patients with lower BMI and lower AHI have higher success rates with oral appliances.

It is most effective for supine dependent OSA. Patients with craniofacial retrognathism�when the lower jaw sits back behind the upper jaw�also have been shown to have success with oral appliances.

Patients with steep mandibular planes or long necks have more difficulties reaping the benefits of an oral appliance.Patients who should NOT try it: those with central sleep apnea or those with morbid obesity; those with poor dentition�it�s best to first restore the patient�s teeth; those with acute TMD derangement or disc displacement resulting in a limited ability to open mouthNew developments in 2014: A study showed objective measurement of OAT compliance is feasible using an embedded microsensor.

Results suggest the overall therapeutic effectiveness of OAT may be similar to CPAP. 1 Another found that remotely controlled mandibular positioner (RCMP) predicted therapeutic success with significant accuracy, and the predictive protrusive position was effective in 87% of the patients. 2 The health outcomes study published by the American Thoracic Society compared the health effects after 1 month of using CPAP versus OAT. It found that health outcomes were similar between the two treatments, suggesting that the greater efficacy of CPAP is offset by the higher compliance with OAT.

3Concerns & Responses:Concern:�There�s no way of knowing if OAT will work on patients before they try it.Bennett: It is important for sleep physicians to collaborate with a dentist who can conduct a thorough intraoral examination to assess candidacy for an oral appliance. The dentist will evaluate the patient�s teeth, jaw, and airway, determine the protrusive range with a measuring device, and review the data of the sleep study in order to help determine the chance of success.Concern: Most oral appliances don�t objectively monitor compliance.Bennett:�Objective compliance measurement for OAT is a recent development in the field, and it will become increasingly common in the years ahead.

However, it should be noted that the Vanderveken study published in Thorax found no significant differences between objective and self-reported oral appliance compliance. Therefore, until objective compliance monitoring becomes standard, self-reports from patients can provide useful clinical insight.Concern: Oral appliances don�t generally improve AHI as much as CPAP does.Bennett:�While CPAP has a higher efficacy, low patient compliance decreases its overall effectiveness.

Because of its higher compliance rate, OAT can produce similar outcomes as CPAP. Neither treatment is perfect, but both options offer positive benefits. It is important to tailor the treatment to the individual needs of each patient to promote long-term therapeutic success.More information: Sutherland K, Vanderveken O, Cistulli Oral appliance treatment for obstructive sleep apnea: an update.

J Clin Sleep Med. 2014;10(2):215-227. Night ShiftInformation source: Dan Levendowski, president, and Philip Westbrook, MD, chief medical officer, Advanced Brain MonitoringHow it works: Worn on the back of the neck, Night Shift (by Advanced Brain Monitoring) begins to vibrate when users begin to sleep on their back and slowly increases in intensity until a position cAbout 28 million Americans have sleep apnea, which causes repeated awakenings and pauses in breathing during the night, sometimes resulting in loud snoring and gasps for air.

For decades, the standard treatment has been �continuous positive airway pressure.� A mask worn at night pushes air into the nasal passages, enabling easier breathing. C.P.A.P. reduces and in some cases completely prevents episodes of apnea. The new device has two small plugs that create just enough air pressure to keep the airways open at night. Credit Joseph Golish M.D.But the mask is like something from a bad science fiction movie: big, bulky and obtrusive.

Many patients simply refuse to wear it or rip it off while asleep. Studies show that about half of all people prescribed C.P.A.P. machines stop using them in one to three weeks.�For a lot of people out there, the C.P.A.P.

machine turns into a doorstop,� said Dr. Joseph Golish, the former chief of sleep medicine at the Cleveland Clinic and now a professor with the MetroHealth System in Cleveland. �C.P.A.P. is very effective in the sleep lab.

But when people go home, there�s a good chance they won�t use it, and the success rate of an unused C.P.A.P. machine is absolutely zero.�Now an alternative form of C.P.A.P. is gaining popularity: a patch that fits over the nostrils. Called Provent, the patch holds two small plugs, one for each nostril, that create just enough air pressure to keep the airways open at night. It is far less intrusive than the traditional C.P.A.P.

machine. It is also more expensive, and it doesn�t work for every patient. Share your thoughts. Join in the discussion.Approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2008, Provent has spread mostly by word of mouth.

But it has caught on fast. Its manufacturer, Ventus Medical, says it has shipped one million of the devices cpap breathing machine alternatives the past 12 months, up from a half million total in the two years prior.

Doctors say it has given them a new weapon in the battle against sleep apnea, and many patients who struggled with C.P.A.P. call it a godsend.Bob Bleck, who owns a computer networking firm in Ohio, struggled with poor sleep and chronic fatigue for decades.

But it was only a year and a half ago that he finally went to a sleep clinic, prodded by his wife, who worried about his heavy snoring.The diagnosis was severe sleep apnea. Tests showed that in a typical night, Mr.

Bleck, 47, awoke or stopped breathing 42 times an hour.His doctor prescribed a C.P.A.P. machine, and Mr. Bleck hated it.�I had this constricted feeling,� he said. �It would be incorporated into these dreams where I was tied up, like in the movie �Alien.� It was more difficult to sleep with that thing on than to just get through the night with the apnea.�Mr. Bleck got rid of the machine after he discovered Provent. �After I started using it, I noticed a difference right away,� he said.

�My symptoms subsided dramatically.�Provent works like a traditional C.P.A.P. machine but is only a fraction of the size. When people with apnea fall asleep, their throat muscles collapse, constricting the airway and causing the body to fight for air. C.P.A.P. machines use mild air pressure to keep the airway from constricting.Provent does too, but in a different way.

The device contains two pinhole-size valves, one over each nostril. The valves let air in easily � most people breathe through their nostrils while asleep � but there is resistance as the user exhales.

That resistance creates a backpressure in the airways, dilating the muscles that would otherwise collapse in the middle of the night. In the morning, the patch is removed; a new one is used every night.Last year, in a large study of 250 apnea sufferers published in the medical journal Sleep and subsidized by Ventus, researchers found that those who used Provent devices over a three-month period saw their apnea episodes fall sharply, compared with people who were given a sham, or placebo, device.

A follow-up study tracked people over the course of a year and had similar results.But not everyone finds that Provent alleviates their apnea.

In interviews, sleep specialists said that a third or more of patients do not end up using it.�It works like a champ in some people and doesn�t work on other people,� said Dr. Nancy Appelblatt, an ear, nose and throat surgeon in Sacramento who has prescribed it to about 100 patients.

�All sleep apnea is not created equal.�Some people, for example, breathe through the mouth at night, not the nostrils. In those people, Provent typically doesn�t work. Nor will it work very well in someone who has severe nasal allergies and has a blocked nose at night, said one of the leaders of the Provent studies, Dr. Meir Kryger, a professor at Yale Medical School and founder of the National Sleep Foundation.Unlike C.P.A.P., Provent is not covered by Medicare and most major insurers, though some doctors say they expect that will change in the near future.

In the meantime, a 30-day supply of the patches Close settings Full Forecast� Crosswords� Elections 2016� Video� Stocks� Apps� Best-Selling Books� Classifieds� College� Corrections� Interactives� Newsletters� Photo Galleries� Portfolio Tracker� Scores� Newsstand� Audio� Investigations� Policing the USA� � News� Sports� Life� Money� Tech� Travel� Opinion� Weather� Crosswords� Elections 2016� Video� Stocks� Apps� Best-Selling Books� Classifieds� College� Corrections� Interactives� Newsletters� Photo Galleries� Portfolio Tracker� Scores� Newsstand� Audio� Investigations� Policing the USA�� Search� Sleep apnea booming; new treatments offer alternativesSleep apnea can be life-threatening; new treatments give patients more alternatives to the CPAP machine, with a sleep mask many people say is uncomfortable. Sleep apnea booming; new treatments offer alternatives Sleep apnea can be life-threatening; new treatments give patients more alternatives to the CPAP machine, with a sleep mask many people say is uncomfortable.

Check out this story on USATODAY.com: https://usat.ly/1bM7Wc6 Bob Bleck of Mentor, Ohio, was finally diagnosed with sleep apnea about two years ago. He's given up the large CPAP mask that is the standard treatment and now uses disposable Provent Sleep Apnea Therapy nose patches. They have nostril plug inserts that use the power of the person's breathing to hold the airway open and enable natural airflow. (Photo: Michael McElroy) Story Highlights� Sleep apnea affects an estimated 5% to 10% of Americans but is undiagnosed in most.� It can lead to obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, strokes and heart attacks.� Having untreated sleep apnea also doubles your risk of traffic accidents.For 30 years, Bob Bleck of Mentor, Ohio, snored nearly every night and napped nearly every day.Finally, his wife got fed up and made him see a doctor.

He was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, a condition in which people stop breathing for short periods, disrupting their sleep, sometimes hundreds of times a night.Sleep apnea used to be seen as a mere annoyance, but in the past decade or two, it has become clear that it can be life-threatening � both to the person with the condition and others on the road. Sleep apnea doubles the risk of traffic accidents; truckers with untreated, moderate to severe forms of the condition are barred from driving in some states.Sleep apnea � which affects an estimated 5% to 10% of Americans and is undiagnosed in most of them � can also lead to obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, strokes and heart attacks."Untreated severe apnea can take 10 to 15 years off someone's life," says Joseph Golish, a sleep medicine expert for more than 40 years and a professor at the MetroHealth System in Cleveland.Sleep apnea is generally caused by a crowded upper airway, muscle weakness around the throat, or weight gain that adds fat around the airway, leading to collapse during sleep.Waking up activates the body's fight-or-flight response, causing heart rate, blood pressure and hormone secretions to climb, says Lawrence Epstein, a sleep medicine expert at Harvard Medical School and Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital.

Repeated activation and lack of downtime stresses the heart.Until very recently, the only treatments with any real track record were throat surgery and a sleep machine with a face mask that many compared to Darth Vader's.Bleck tried the system, known as a continuous positive airway pressure (or CPAP) machine, for about two months. But he says he couldn't stand it.It was noisy, it made him claustrophobic, and the hose that the mask connects to bothered him every time he tried to move.

"I could not get over it," he says. The standard treatment for sleep apnea is sleeping with a face mask on a continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP, machine. But many users say they're noisy and uncomfortable. Now some new alternatives are becoming available. (Photo: Michael Mulvey) The CPAP has been the standard of care for sleep apnea for three decades, and it helps nearly all the people who faithfully use it � though Bleck's reaction is quite common."As many as 80% of patients who say they use their CPAP don't use it enough to keep them safe," says Golish, Bleck's doctor.

Medicare and some private insurers have stopped paying for CPAP beyond three months if data indicate the patient isn't using it.Luckily, there are several other treatments, including three new ones:� Provent Sleep Apnea Therapy, made by Theravent Inc.

in San Jose, is like tiny Band-Aids that fit over each nostril, with a valve in the middle that helps create pressure in the airway so it remains open. A one-month supply costs about $70. This is the treatment Bleck now uses.� The Winx Sleep Therapy System by ApniCure Inc. of Redwood City, Calif., is a small mouthpiece that rests inside the sleeper's mouth, creating suction to open the throat. Winx costs around $700 for the machine, Golish says, similar to CPAP.� Inspire Medical Systems, based in Minneapolis, is awaiting approval