Researchers are Urging a Shift in the Approach to Treating Sleep Apnea

Roughly 30 million Americans are believed to experience sleep apnea, a number similar to diabetes cases. However, treating this condition proves to be highly challenging. This challenge is exacerbated by the fact that almost 50% of those diagnosed give up on using devices intended to relieve it. Moreover, recent findings have connected sleep apnea to an increased susceptibility to Alzheimer’s disease and associated forms of dementia, as well as significant health risks such as cardiovascular problems and stroke.

Traditional Treatment for Sleep Apnea

In the conventional approach, the initial treatment for the condition involves the use of a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine. This machine, originating in Australia in 1980, played a pivotal role in the subsequent creation of the BiPAP machine a decade later, offering critical medical assistance.

Nonetheless, a group of researchers has raised concerns about this treatment approach. They have emphasized that while CPAP is more cost-effective than the BiPAP system, it doesn’t prove effective for many individuals with sleep apnea. They propose that a more personalized therapy approach could offer greater long-term benefits.

Danny Eckert, a professor and director at the Adelaide Institute for Sleep Health within the Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute Sleep Health Research Program, explained this approach by saying, “Instead of having everyone start with CPAP, where we know that at least 50% will not succeed, we have turned the conventional approach around. Initially, we provide everyone with a dental splint, which tends to be better tolerated than CPAP, although its overall effectiveness is lower, benefiting approximately 50% of individuals.”

Discontinuation Rates and CPAP Device Failures in Sleep Apnea Management

Eckert underscores the challenges associated with treating sleep apnea, which typically involves the use of a breathing device or a dental splint. Both of these treatments often result in high rates of discontinuation due to the associated discomfort and difficulties. The significant failure rate of CPAP devices represents a major obstacle in effectively managing this serious sleep disorder.

While not advocating for the abandonment of CPAP as a crucial treatment, the researchers are advocating for a more comprehensive approach to therapy and better patient education about their options.

Eckert explained, “We discovered that if the dental device alone proved insufficient, we introduced additional treatments. This combination of therapies successfully resolved the sleep apnea issue in nearly all of the remaining 50% of patients. We also incorporated alternative and emerging therapies, such as oxygen therapy, and novel medications based on the results of an extensive sleep study we conducted, which provided precise insights into the underlying causes of each individual’s Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).“

A Comprehensive Approach with Potential Benefits for Anxiety Management

This strategy has the potential to give individuals with sleep apnea greater control over their condition, and it may also be beneficial for those dealing with additional concerns like anxiety, which can be exacerbated when using a CPAP device.

Danny Eckert explained, “If this combination therapy didn’t yield satisfactory results, we considered CPAP, but only as a final option. With this innovative approach, we managed to effectively address the sleep apnea issue in nearly all participants, with only a small number requiring CPAP.“

In essence, this method represents a fresh perspective on treating sleep apnea.

While some progress has been made in exploring new treatments, most of these are still in the developmental stages.

Read the original article on: New Atlas

Read more: The Primary Adversary of Quality Sleep in School-Age Children: Electronic Screens